NTN
Standards are the key requirement for telco/satellite integration: D2D and satellite-based mobile backhaul
At the Satellite 2025 conference in Washington DC, Analysys Mason Research Director Lluc Palerm moderated a panel session discussing Direct to Device (D2D) and satellite mobile backhaul. Market forecasts have been impressive. Analysys Mason says investments in the satellite communications industry from AT&T, Google, Vodafone, Apple “could well surpass $20 billion in 2025.” The market research firm believes annual satellite telecoms service revenue will reach $165 billion by 2033.
Indeed, many analysts believe that the 3GPP non-terrestrial networks (NTN) specification work will facilitate new markets and opportunities, lowers costs, and provides seamless mobility sought by certain markets, such as first responders, military and aviation. Airbus is leading by example, as demonstrated in its deployment of 5G NTN over OneWeb LEO satellites and chips from MediaTek.
- Amina Boubendir, PhD, head of research and standardization for Airbus Defense and Space, shared an update on related 3GPP specification work during the session. She pointed out that in 3GPP Releases 17, 18 and (forthcoming) 19 and 20, the work has progressed from IoT to broadband to low-earth orbit (LEO) satellites. “LEO comes into the integration between terrestrial and non-terrestrial network (NTN) in Release 19, and both IoT and broadband are being covered as we move with the community into Release 20,” Boubendir said.
- Jean-Philippe Gillet, Vice President and General Manager, Networks Intelsat US, said that telcos and their suppliers are also pushing to integrate 5G NTN into future deployments, according to JP Gillet, SVP Intelsat. He said it’s not if but when. “The reality is mobile network operators are under tremendous pressure,” he said. “They need to drive innovation to stay relevant.”
- Telesat CMO Glenn Katz said the mobile backhaul market will reach $600 billion in the mid-2030s and that Telesat expects to capture its share of that total by continuing to focus on carrier applications in the enterprise, maritime, aviation and government markets. Telesat has already run Release 19 on its test LEO satellite – Katz said where these efforts lead commercially remains an open question. “We can’t close the business case on how much it’s going to cost to put those specific types of technologies on a satellite,” he added. “We’re a carrier’s carrier. I think some of us in the industry need to continue to think that way. Those telcos are giant. We’re not going to take business from them. We have to be complimentary.”
- Nikola Kromer, VP Product Marketing, ST Engineering iDirect said there are other requirements. “So, it’s not just the 5G NTN standard that we need,” she said. In particular, she mentioned the Digital Intermediate Frequency Interoperability (DIFI) Consortium and the Waveform Architecture for Virtualized Ecosystems (WAVE) Consortium. ST Engineering iDirect announced a subscription-based model, Intuition Unbound, offering operations as a service (OaaS) and platform as a service (PaaS). According to ST Engineering, the selling point is that satellite providers and telcos can subscribe to a ground network service and turn a massive capital spending outlay into smaller, more digestible monthly payments.
Standardization efforts such as DIFI are important to accelerate innovation, Boubendir said. “Telcos have already gone through this digitalization process. The space industry, I would say, has to catch up.” Building out new systems in cloud-native environments is a challenge, especially if you want to be efficient and fast.
Illustration of the classes of orbits of satellites [source: 3GPP TR 22.822]
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
5G NTN and Status in ITU-R WP 4B:
ITU-R Working Party 4B (WP 4B) is responsible for recommendations related to: systems, air interfaces, performance and availability objectives for FSS, BSS and MSS, including IP-based applications and satellite news gathering. Many analysts believe NTNs will be an essential component of 6G/IMT-2030. ITU-R, the official standards body for IMT (all the Gs) envisions 6G networks to deliver intelligent, seamless connectivity that supports reliable, sustainable, and resilient communications. To achieve this vision, NTNs represent a significant advancement by extending connectivity beyond the Earth’s surface. These networks integrate advanced communication technologies that go beyond conventional terrestrial infrastructure, enabling comprehensive global connectivity across domains such as the Internet, Internet of Things (IoT), navigation, disaster recovery, remote access, Earth observation, and even scientific initiatives like interplanetary communication.
An October 28, 2024 4B Working document is a related preliminary draft new Report ITU-R M.[SAT IOT] – Technical and operational aspects of satellite Internet of Things (IoT) applications. This document is intended as a snapshot of evolving satellite IoT technologies and practices. Satellite IoT encompasses a variety of technologies that have been in use for decades, yet continue to evolve rapidly. The information presented reflects the state of the industry as of the date of this Report and is subject to change. The purpose of this report is to provide an overview of the current and emerging satellite IoT applications and their technical and operational aspects. It is also noted that the implementation of [current and emerging] satellite IoT does not require specific regulatory provisions in the Radio Regulations, and this Report does not address any spectrum requirements and technical requirements for satellite IoT applications, and does not preclude future technologies.
At it’s October 2024 meeting, Sub-Working Group (SWG) 4B1 dealt with satellites in Next Generation Access Technologies. 4B1 started work on a preliminary draft new Recommendation ITU-R M.[IMT 2020-SAT.SPECS]. That proposed ITU-R Recommendation will identify satellite radio interface technologies of International Mobile Telecommunications-2020 (IMT-2020) and provides the detailed radio interface specifications. SWG 4B1 first focused on reviewing the Final Evaluation Reports on the proposed candidate IMT-2020 satellite radio interface technologies and preparing responses back to 3GPP and feedback to the Independent Expert Groups as well as other IMT-2020 matters.
At 4B’s Shanghai, China 30 April – 6 May, 2025 meeting, received contributions will be considered in an attempt to finalize the working document, elevate it to Draft New Recommendation and send it to SG 4 plenary for approval. It is highly unlikely all that can be done in a single ITU-R WP meeting so that objective is unrealistic in this author’s opinion!
Separately, a proposed work plan for the future development of satellite IMT-2030 – Work plan, timeline, process and deliverables for the future development of satellite IMT-2030 was started. These are necessary to provide the expected ITU-R outcomes of evolved satellite IMT in support of the next generation of mobile communications systems beyond IMT-2020, around the 2030 timeframe. Circular Letter(s) are expected to be issued at the appropriate time(s) to announce the invitation for submitting formal proposals and other relevant information. The deliverable backgrounds and processes together with the Circular Letter(s) will describe the comprehensive methodology for developing technology proposals for satellite IMT-2030. WP 4B plans to hold a workshop on IMT‑2030, focusing on satellite radio interfaces.
In summary, it appears the NTN specification work is ONLY being done in 3GPP which will liase relevant documents to 4B in preparation for their ITU-R NTN 5G and 6G Recommendations.
References:
https://www.analysysmason.com/events-and-webinars/events/satellite-2025/
https://www.analysysmason.com/about-us/news/predictions-2025/telco-investment-space/
https://www.3gpp.org/technologies/ntn-overview
Momentum builds for wireless telco- satellite operator engagements
5G connectivity from space: Exolaunch contract with Sateliot for launch and deployment of LEO satellites
Satellite 2024 conference: Are Satellite and Cellular Worlds Converging or Colliding?
China Telecom and China Mobile invest in LEO satellite companies
5G connectivity from space: Exolaunch contract with Sateliot for launch and deployment of LEO satellites
SatCom market services, ITU-R WP 4G, 3GPP Release 18 and ABI Research Market Forecasts
