With rapid advancements in satellite technology, non-terrestrial networks (NTN) are becoming increasingly important to global communications, providing connectivity where traditional terrestrial mobile networks struggle to reach.
The Mobile Satellite Services Association (MSSA) has published a Reference Architecture framework that offers key recommendations aimed at accelerating the development, deployment, and global integration of NTN solutions. MSSA says the framework is designed to help industry stakeholders deliver scalable, secure, and high-performance NTN services.
The document encourages the industry to adopt a system-level design approach for NTN systems. MSSA explains that this method enables devices to operate more efficiently and allows users to move seamlessly between satellite and terrestrial networks without degrading service quality.
“The Reference Architecture is a major step forward in shaping a cohesive and interoperable NTN ecosystem,” said Jeff Snyder, MSSA Reference Architecture Work Group Lead and Chief Technology Officer at MSSA member Omnispace.
MSSA highlights technology, integration, and service requirements
The MSSA Reference Architecture sets out recommendations to address key challenges across the service delivery chain, covering satellite constellations, ground system operations, and mobile device connectivity. Its primary objective is to ensure NTN deployments can meet growing demand for faster, more reliable, and secure performance and coverage.
The framework explains how NTN systems should integrate with terrestrial networks to support a wide range of applications and device types worldwide. By emphasizing interoperability and consistent service delivery, MSSA aims to improve market adoption and deliver predictable performance across different networks.
The Reference Architecture also provides guidance on delivering voice, data, messaging, and IoT services over NTN using 3GPP-compliant technologies. This guidance helps ensure secure and reliable service delivery across the varied environments that comprise the global communications landscape.
MSSA outlines critical use cases that NTN systems must support, including network selection, network sharing, and roaming. These capabilities are essential for enabling NTNs to operate smoothly across countries and operators while complying with national and regional regulations.
Backed by leading standards organizations such as 3GPP and GSMA, MSSA’s framework identifies current industry challenges and underscores the need to advance reliable, secure, and scalable NTN service delivery.
(Image source: “True-Color Image of Southeastern United States from NASA’s Newest Earth Observing Satellite Suomi NPP” by NASA Goddard Photo and Video is licensed under CC BY 2.0.)
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