In a significant technological breakthrough, Mavenir, in partnership with mobile satellite operator Terrestar, successfully completed the first Voice over NB-IoT (Narrowband Internet of Things) call in Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTN) mode in January 2025. This remarkable achievement utilized the 3GPP-standardized NTN S-band spectrum to avoid interference that commonly affects terrestrial networks. This is a critical step towards integrating satellite and terrestrial communication technologies to deliver consistent services, especially in underserved areas.
Pioneering Technological Integration
Overcoming Geostationary Satellite Challenges
The intricate system designed for this breakthrough accounted for the characteristic delays associated with geostationary Earth orbit (GEO) satellites, ensuring that connectivity remains seamless and reliable despite the higher latency involved. By addressing these delays, this approach offers a practical solution for GEO satellite operators, enabling them to monetize NTN services immediately. This achievement also eliminates the need for extensive infrastructure upgrades, showcasing a proof of concept for integrating satellite and terrestrial technologies to provide consistent communication services in remote locations.
Successfully adapting to the unique challenges posed by GEO satellites, the seamless integration of the system goes beyond technical feasibility. It demonstrates that reliable, high-quality voice and data services can be delivered even in remote areas with higher latency. Furthermore, it opens new avenues for satellite and terrestrial network operators to offer extended service coverage, driving connectivity in regions that previously had limited or no access to reliable communication infrastructure. The practical implications of overcoming these challenges significantly enhance the potential for widespread deployment of NTN services in the future.
Collaborative Effort and Advanced Technologies
The VoNB call was conducted using advanced technological components, including Sony’s Altair ALT1250 IoT module, Mavenir’s Open RAN (comprising Open vRAN and Open Beam radio), and Mavenir’s Converged Packet Core platform. Terrestar played a pivotal role by contributing the S-band spectrum along with its invaluable operational expertise. This collaboration highlights a joint effort aimed at bridging the connectivity gap prevalent in remote and challenging environments. Leveraging 3GPP standards for NTNs, the partnership aims to enable both IoT solutions and reliable voice communications in areas that traditional cellular infrastructure cannot effectively reach.
This collaborative effort reflects the dynamic interplay between cutting-edge technology and strategic alliances. By integrating advanced modules and platforms with dedicated spectrum and expertise, the partnership created a robust and flexible solution tailored to meet the diverse needs of underserved areas. Such efforts underscore the importance of industry collaboration in achieving technological milestones and setting new benchmarks in communication standards. The successful VoNB call illustrates a crucial step towards expanding the reach of IoT and voice services, ensuring that these advancements can be scaled and adopted widely.
Strategic Leadership and Ecosystem Development
Terrestar’s Innovative Approach
Jacques Leduc, President of Terrestar Solutions, emphasized the innovative and leadership aspects of their approach, stating that Terrestar Solutions is the first MSS player to offer a real-time voice service based on a fully compliant 3GPP non-terrestrial network. He highlighted the strategic use of their dedicated S-band spectrum and open network architecture to drive a groundbreaking development that sets them apart in the industry. This strategic advantage underscores Terrestar’s commitment to leading the charge in mobile satellite communication by leveraging state-of-the-art technology and spectrum assets.
Leduc’s assertion highlights the pioneering spirit that drives Terrestar’s innovative approach. By adopting a leadership role in the mobile satellite communication sphere, Terrestar not only sets industry standards but also paves the way for future advancements in non-terrestrial networks. Their focus on utilizing a dedicated spectrum and open network architecture ensures that their solutions are both scalable and adaptable, fostering an ecosystem that supports continuous innovation and development. This strategic vision enables Terrestar to remain at the forefront of technological breakthroughs, creating valuable opportunities for the broader market.
Expanding Coverage to Remote Areas
Integrating satellite coverage with terrestrial capabilities extends reach to geographically isolated areas where deploying traditional infrastructure is impractical or cost-prohibitive. The partnership’s solution works seamlessly with widely available user devices, requiring only minor adjustments such as software upgrades. Sachin Karkala, Senior Vice President and General Manager of the RAN Business Unit at Mavenir, noted that satellite services are an optimal addition to existing terrestrial networks, particularly in underserved and remote regions.
By providing a cost-effective and scalable solution for extending communication services, the integration enhances the overall network coverage and reliability. This development ensures that communities in remote locales can access essential communication services, thereby improving their quality of life and economic opportunities. The ability to leverage existing user devices with minimal modifications further simplifies the deployment process, making it feasible and practical for widespread adoption. This strategic approach to expanding network reach underscores the commitment to bridging the digital divide and providing equitable access to communication services.
Societal Impact and Future Implications
Enhancing Communication Services
The collaboration exemplifies how industry partnerships can unlock previously untapped potential by focusing on interoperability and adherence to 3GPP standards. This successful achievement provides a robust foundation for the broader deployment of NB-IoT solutions in NTN mode, which is essential for supporting IoT devices and services across various sectors, including agriculture, logistics, energy, and disaster recovery. As the technology progresses, adding voice capabilities to data-driven IoT services expands the scope of use cases for operators and organizations, facilitating a wide range of applications that can significantly impact multiple industries.
This intersection of satellite and terrestrial technologies transforms the way communication services are delivered, particularly in sectors where real-time data and voice communication are critical. For instance, farmers can benefit from improved IoT solutions in agriculture, aiding in precision farming and resource management. Logistics companies can leverage enhanced tracking and communication tools, ensuring efficient supply chain operations. In energy and disaster recovery, reliable communication services can optimize monitoring and response efforts, ultimately saving lives and resources. The broader deployment of these solutions positions operators and organizations to harness new opportunities and drive innovation in their respective fields.
Addressing Connectivity Challenges
Beyond commercial implications, the partnership holds profound societal impacts, particularly in expanding connectivity to underserved and remote regions. This expansion affords local communities access to essential communication services, including voice calls, which are crucial in emergency situations. The achievement builds on Mavenir’s existing capabilities in unifying networks and advancing global standards. Terrestar’s experience in leveraging mobile-satellite spectrum further strengthens the collaboration, serving as a model for solving real-world challenges through innovative technology.
Access to reliable communication services plays a vital role in enhancing community resilience and overall well-being. In emergency scenarios, timely and accurate communication can make a significant difference, potentially saving lives and mitigating disaster impacts. Moreover, consistent connectivity offers educational and economic opportunities previously inaccessible to these communities, fostering growth and development. This successful venture between Mavenir and Terrestar represents a blueprint for future collaborations, showcasing how technological innovation can address connectivity challenges and improve lives on a broader scale.
A Strategic Roadmap for Future Innovations
Advancing IoT Solutions
As NTN technologies gain greater attention and adoption, this NB-IoT achievement marks a significant milestone in making the promise of ubiquitous connectivity a reality. The pioneering work done by Mavenir and Terrestar advances the deployment of comprehensive IoT solutions, providing the necessary infrastructure for a range of industries and applications. This development addresses the critical need for reliable communication services in areas difficult to serve with traditional networks, offering a strategic roadmap for future innovations in the realm of connected technologies.
The continuous advancement in IoT solutions extends the reach of connected devices and applications, enabling more sophisticated and scalable systems. This progress lays the groundwork for future technologies that can drive efficiency, productivity, and innovation across various sectors. By establishing a solid infrastructure foundation, Mavenir and Terrestar set the stage for ongoing development and adoption of IoT solutions, creating a dynamic ecosystem that supports sustainable growth and technological evolution. The strategic roadmap outlined by this achievement ensures that the benefits of connectivity can be realized across diverse settings and applications.
Synergy Between Satellite and Terrestrial Networks
In a landmark technological advancement, Mavenir, collaborating with mobile satellite operator Terrestar, successfully carried out the first Voice over NB-IoT (Narrowband Internet of Things) call in Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTN) mode in January 2025. This impressive feat leveraged the 3GPP-standardized NTN S-band spectrum, meticulously designed to steer clear of the interference problems commonly associated with terrestrial networks. Achieving this milestone is pivotal for the integration of satellite and terrestrial communication technologies, enabling a seamless delivery of consistent services. This is particularly significant for extending connectivity to underserved and remote regions, where traditional terrestrial networks might struggle to provide reliable service. Such a development marks a crucial step towards a more inclusive global communication network, bridging the digital divide and fostering greater access to important communications resources for populations that have historically been left out.