Mavenir and Terrestar Solutions have successfully completed the industry’s first Voice over NB-IoT (VoNB) call in Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTN) mode. The milestone, achieved over standardized 3GPP NTN S-band spectrum, enables operators to deploy voice services immediately via a software upgrade to existing GEO satellites, extending connectivity to remote regions.
The successful call was conducted in January 2025 using standard codecs, Sony’s Altair ALT1250 module, Mavenir Open RAN, and Mavenir Converged Packet Core, in collaboration with Terrestar. This advancement integrates satellite and terrestrial networks to enhance communication coverage and support IoT applications in underserved areas.
Mavenir and Terrestar’s collaboration brings several key advancements:
- First VoNB Call in NTN Mode: Demonstrates real-time voice service over satellite using 3GPP standards.
- Seamless Integration: Enables GEO satellites to provide voice services via software upgrades without additional hardware investments.
- Extended Coverage: Supports remote and underserved regions with reliable satellite-to-mobile connectivity.
- IoT Expansion: Enhances NB-IoT ecosystem by integrating voice into satellite-powered IoT applications.
“Terrestar Solutions embodies innovation and leadership as the first MSS player to offer a real-time voice service based on a fully compliant 3GPP non-terrestrial network,” said Jacques Leduc, President of Terrestar Solutions. “With our dedicated S-band spectrum and open network architecture, we are accelerating the ecosystem development to ensure ubiquitous satellite connectivity.”