Broadband |
Satellite | 2024-03-22
The integration of satellite Technology into the 5G ecosystem is proving invaluable, particularly in underserved regions and for mission-critical communications requiring reliable coverage.
In recent years, the satellite industry has collaborated with the mobile sector and other stakeholders through forums like 3GPP to incorporate satellite technologies into the 5G landscape. This partnership has led to a significant milestone: the adaptation of 3GPP standards to include non-terrestrial networks (NTN) in Release 17.
Key enhancements have been implemented to address satellite latency and doppler effects, catering to a variety of network deployment scenarios, orbits, terminal types, frequency bands, and beam sizes. This development enables direct-to-device connectivity for smartphones and IoT devices via satellites.
Satellite’s value in the 5G mix is increasingly evident, particularly in coverage-limited areas and for critical communications. The standards ensure seamless interoperability between satellite and terrestrial networks, allowing connectivity between mass-market devices and both types of networks.
Collaborating within the 3GPP ecosystem, the new NTN standards ensure global connectivity, with key contributions from entities like the GSOA and notable individuals from various satellite organizations.
Future enhancements in Release 18 of the 3GPP NTN standard aim to optimize satellite access performance and introduce new capabilities, further solidifying satellite’s role in global communication.
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