Hosted by the European Space Agency (ESA)'s Space for 5G/6G and Sustainable Connectivity programme, the Non-Terrestrial Network (NTN) Forum acts within the public interest. The Forum provides a collaborative platform for all relevant stakeholders to foster collective actions towards the harmonious, non-discriminatory and market-driven development and implementation of NTN solutions – for 5G and 6G systems and related services.
Through collaborative efforts, the NTN Forum aims to drive innovation, shape industry standards, and promote the widespread adoption of NTN solutions.
NTN design and deployment are perceived as the priority area for international and national telecommunication initiatives across the world.
The NTN Forum aims to harness the expertise and the resources of diverse groups of stakeholders, including space companies, satellite and terrestrial telecommunications service and technology providers and other relevant industry players.
By fostering collaboration and collective action, the Forum aims to drive the integration of NTN in 5G and 6G networks, opening up new possibilities and generating tangible industrial opportunities for all participants.
The NTN Forum brings together the perspectives of all interested stakeholders, including satellite, mobile and terrestrial network operators, and service providers, vertical stakeholders, network infrastructure vendors (space and terrestrial), satellite system integrators, satellite technology providers, 3GPP and cloud technology providers, NTN devices and chipset manufacturers.
The Forum aims to foster common understanding and ranking on potential future NTN standardisation activities in 3GPP and/or other standardisation bodies, combining collaboration with relevant industry initiatives.
The NTN Forum actively identifies and addresses suitable use cases for 5G/6G based NTN solutions responding to the requirements of verticals.
The Forum discusses and exchanges information about the different aspects related to devices and promote the mutual understanding and collaboration between the device ecosystem (device and chipset) and the satellite community and the associated end users, including verticals. Devices address all NTN deployments, including Internet of Things (IoT), Recap, smartphones, VSAT (mobile/fixed), and Multicast Broadcast NR-NTN devices.
NTN Forum develops recipes for reference 5G/5G Advanced/6G NTN systems and features and promotes collaborative experimentation trials and demonstrations employing NTN ground and space assets integrated with 5G/6G terrestrial networks and strives for end-to-end integrated network and services pilots.
NEWS AND EVENTS
ESA and GSMA to support three 5G/6G-NTN innovation challenges for global seamless connectivity
The European Space Agency (ESA) and Global System for Mobile Communications Association (GSMA) Foundry announced at MWC25 Barcelona, Spain, an ESA-funding round to support three innovation challenges.
The European Space Agency (ESA) has signed a Memorandum of Intent (MoI) with the Mobile Satellite Services Association (MSSA), taking a further step towards transforming the future of global connectivity.
ESA white paper to optimise performance and operations for 6G Non-Terrestrial Networks
The European Space Agency (ESA), together with a consortium of European satellite industry, terrestrial technology providers and terrestrial mobile network operators, have released a study to investigate and optimise…
ESA and Seamless Air Alliance drive 5G Non-Terrestrial Network connectivity for aviation
The European Space Agency (ESA) and Seamless Air Alliance (SAA) have made key achievements in the development of 5G Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTN) for aviation connectivity.
ESA’s 5G/6G Hub introduces new 5G- millimetre-wave capabilities
The European Space Agency (ESA) has signed a contract with Poland-based Creotech Instruments S.A. and Microamp Solutions to develop 5G-millimetre-wave (mmWave) capabilities, providing ultra-low latency that is critical…
ESA, Telesat and Amarisoft achieve world-first 5G 3GPP Non-Terrestrial Network link over LEO
ESA and Telesat have reported a groundbreaking milestone in telecommunications technology, successfully establishing the world's first 3GPP Non-Terrestrial Network (NTN) link over Low Earth Orbit (LEO) between the ESTEC 5G Laboratory and the…
ESA project pioneers AI enhanced 5G and high-resolution imaging solutions
ESA’s Space for 5G/6G and Sustainable Connectivity programme line is playing a pivotal role in bridging technological frontiers, demonstrating how space-enabled networks can transform business capabilities through the…
ESA and Telesat showcase the potential of Non-Terrestrial Networks for timing and positioning
ESA, in collaboration with Telesat (Nasdaq and TSX: TSAT), has achieved a significant milestone in developing future satellite Internet technology, successfully testing new 5G capabilities that could revolutionise how businesses and individuals…
ESA study sets path for European 5G space networks
ESA, together with a consortium of European satellite industry and satellite and terrestrial 5G technology providers, has developed a study to assess future 5G space-based infrastructures and their associated system…
ESA boosts Italian agriculture and disaster response through 5G satellites
Satellite 5G capabilities are growing in their importance across businesses and society. ESA’s 5G-HOST-SAT (5G Hub Over-The-Air Vertical Segment Validations) project is working to support the digitisation and greening of the…
ESA project to revolutionise communication of media content with satellite-enhanced 5G networks
ESA’s 5G-EMERGE project, as part of its Space for 5G/6G and Sustainable Connectivity programme, is expanding its scope to meet the growing needs of media distribution as it moves into its second phase.
ESA’s Xtend 5G project to develop an independent hybrid satellite connectivity system
ESA is working with Forsway, a provider of cost-efficient hybrid satellite terrestrial solutions and equipment for broadband connectivity, to develop a two-way/ hybrid satellite connectivity system.