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 chipsets 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. It 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, 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.
ESA showcases German space-enabled 6G connectivity capabilities
ESA is a key driver of 5G and 6G technologies, with 6G technologies still in the middle of their research and development and pre-standardisation phases. These challenges and opportunities will be shared by ESA’s Space for 5G/6G and Sustainable…
ESA expands 5G/6G Non-Terrestrial Network cooperation with South Korea
ESA is continuing its commitment to strengthening international cooperation by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in the area of 5G/6G communications with the Satcom Forum of South Korea, a group of 41 leading Korean companies including…
ESA begins development of European 6G capabilities
ESA is looking to the future of connectivity, selecting Open Cosmos to be the platform operator and manufacturer of its 6G satellite precursor. The project is funded under its Space for 5G/6G & Sustainable…
European Space Agency launches Non-Terrestrial Network Forum
ESA’s Non-Terrestrial Network (NTN) Forum, a not-for-profit organisation that kicked off in July 2024, has brought together over 288 global experts, stakeholders, and industry leaders to advance the development and…
ESA pioneers satellite-enhanced vehicle-to-everything connectivity to boost Europe's automotiv…
ESA is supporting the future of automotive connectivity through its “V2X (vehicle to everything – where a vehicle shares its information with other vehicles and smart systems using wireless connectivity) – services…