5G also provides the option to deliver different types of data over different access networks if required. To do this, satellite technology needs to integrate into core “telco network” initiatives and standards. 5G standards adoption delivers seamless handover between these networks so that the user experience is enhanced, and service level agreements (SLAs) can be maintained. Satellite technology needs to enable 3GPP networking and orchestration technologies to work in unison across multi-orbit satellite, terrestrial and mobile networks to enable truly seamless service.

To do this, many companies in the satellite industry are adopting standards-based technologies from the telco and IT world into the satellite world. By adopting virtualization best practices, the satellite industry will play a key part to enable network operators to build out massive networks in less time, enabling faster, more cost-effective scale and operations based on dynamic, consumption-based options. New satellite technology standards will enable cloud applications through cloud-based architectures.

Standardizing the ecosystem

Through standardization, 5G will enable mainstream integration of satellite and other non-terrestrial networks into terrestrial networks where they have previously been more complicated to integrate, highly customized, and therefore, more expensive. The proliferation of new satellite technologies such as software-defined satellites and new NGSO constellations will increase choice, access options, and available bandwidth, to make the economics in our part of the industry more competitive. 

The merger of satellite, mobile cellular, fixed broadband, and local area networks into converged solutions will support faster speeds, greater capacity, massive scalability, ultra-low latency, and high reliability. This will create a seamless environment with vastly improved QoS based on maximum bandwidth for the applications running in real-time.

Through satellite 5G, service providers will be able to exchange inflexible, hardware-based networks for reconfigurable, software-based networks. This will bring real benefits to the mobility sector that will enable reduced lower total cost of ownership, easier compliance, greater visibility, and quicker, centralized decision-making. It will enable operation from the cloud and reduce implementation from weeks to minutes. Furthermore, users will be able to access the networks from anywhere and edge computing can enable higher performance and a better experience.

A vision for the future

The importance of driving the new 5G standards for satellite networks means building the principles of Evolved Packet Core (EPC), multi-waveforms, edge computing and cloud into VSAT platforms to develop a satellite 5G architecture. It means fostering collaboration and standards through industry bodies like the 3GPP and driving 5G satellite innovations in trials with NGOs and governmental organizations alike to ensure security and compatibility.

The 5G standard can virtualize, automate, and streamline service delivery, and this standards-based access is the path to fully converged end-to-end networks. For the mobility industry—for which reliable connectivity is so critical, for passengers, crew, and operations—this means better, more efficient networking. And it means a new standard of connectivity on the move.