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.