MSSA Insights
Insights from MSSA Members About the Emerging Ecosystem for D2D and Other Advanced NTN Services.
Dive into the MSSA Insights, where we share expert perspectives, industry trends, thought leadership, and updates shaping the world of mobile satellite services. MSSA Insights is a resource for members, partners, and anyone interested in the future of direct-to-device (D2D) connectivity.
The Paradigm Shift — Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTN) Connecting Everyone to Everything, Everywhere
Welcome to our new article series exploring the future of mobile connectivity through Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTN) based on the Association’s MSS Reference Architecture. This series dives into how satellite and terrestrial networks are coming together to deliver seamless global connectivity, why it matters, and what’s next.
Introduction
The telecommunications industry has experienced a significant paradigm shift driven by the emergence of NTN. NTN is reshaping the way mobile connectivity is perceived and implemented across the globe. Satellites were once viewed as niche infrastructure, reserved for specialized user equipment or terminals. Today, satellites have now become an integral part of mainstream connectivity solutions. Satellite solutions are currently recognized as a logical extension of existing terrestrial networks.
Demand for resilient, seamless global connectivity is accelerating the adoption of advanced NTN solutions, including Direct to Device (D2D) and IoT. These capabilities are essential for delivering broad, reliable coverage whenever it’s
needed and providing strong value across consumer, business, civilian, government, and defense end users.
Realizing the full potential of NTN requires more than just technological innovation but also achieving alignment among stakeholders to effectively unlock future opportunities in satellite-enabled communications.
What’s Next:
In our next post, we’ll explore the MSS Reference Architecture: Enabling End-to-End Service Delivery — the foundation for global interoperability.
USE CASE: First 5G NTN Call Over Simulated LEO Satellite
Our Insights section is expanding with new content that dives deeper into real-world applications – from consumer, commercial, civil and government applications globally – on land, in the air, and at sea. This latest addition introduces the first use case in a series that will spotlight innovative solutions from MSSA member companies successfully integrating terrestrial and satellite networks. We start with Ericsson’s milestone achievement in space connectivity.
| COUNTRY | France |
| BAND | S-band (simulated LEO channel – typical for NTN trials) |
| THE CHALLENGE | How to ensure continuous mobile connectivity in remote or hard-to-reach areas (e.g., oceans, forests) where terrestrial mobile networks cannot reach. |
| THE SOLUTION | A successful 5G NR-NTN call using a standards-based NTN device over a simulated LEO satellite channel — without needing extra satellite equipment. |
| THE IMPACT | This achievement proves that devices can maintain mobile service even outside terrestrial coverage, unlocking true global connectivity. It shows that real-time voice and video services are possible anywhere, paving the way for commercial 5G NTN rollouts and confirming the viability of 3GPP-based non-terrestrial networks as a seamless extension of traditional mobile infrastructure. |
RESOURCES:
MSSA Technical Document: MSS Reference Architecture
Ericsson press release: Ericsson, Qualcomm, and Thales Alenia Space reach milestone in space-based connectivity
MSSA Filing: MSSA Presents at CITEL MSS_D2D_IoT Case Studies 2 June 2025
A Constellation of Innovation: MSSA’s Committees and Chairs
The mission to bridge the gap between terrestrial and satellite networks is powered by the visionary leadership of our Members. Our MSSA Committee Chairs and Vice Chairs – representing a powerhouse of satellite operators, mobile network operators (MNOs), and chipset vendors – serve as the architects of this new frontier. These leaders anchor the Association’s core pillars: the Technical, Regulatory, Strategy, and Marketing Committees.
By steering specialized workstreams like the MSS Reference Architecture Work Group, they don’t just manage meetings; they facilitate the vital technical specifications and best practices that ensure the industry remains aligned on 3GPP standards and the strategic use of L- and S-band spectrum. This collective expertise creates a unified voice to facilitate innovation, choice, and competition.
This collaborative leadership is the primary catalyst for accelerating the development and global integration of open, interoperable Non-Terrestrial Network (NTN) solutions. Through these strategic initiatives, MSSA is actively dismantling the barriers to seamless global roaming and sparking a viable marketplace for high-performance cellular-like services anywhere on Earth. Our Committee work does more than enhance regulatory frameworks: it ensures that advanced NTN services are scalable, sustainable, and ready for mass-market adoption – delivering the highest possible value to consumer, business, civilian, government, and defense end users.
Interested in contributing your expertise to this transformative effort? Join our mission to help shape the future of global connectivity, sign up for our Interest List, and follow us on LinkedIn.
Stay tuned for future Insights focused on each MSSA Committee!