Mavenir completed a 3GPP Rel.17 Narrowband IoT (NB-IoT) Non-Terrestrial Network (NTN) data connection over the Ligado SkyTerra satellite network.
The Mavenir NTN service platform was integrated with the Ligado Ground-Based Beam Former (GBBF) over a digital interface, providing an adaptable, high-directivity connection to specific user equipment (UE) on the ground via the satellite link. The team successfully demonstrated a UE connected to the satellite beam on a narrow 200kHz carrier within 3GPP-standardized band n255, i.e., L-band spectrum already designated and fully licensed for MSS operations.
The companies say the adoption of 3GPP-compliant NTN technology enables satellite networks to support devices using mainstream, low-cost chipsets that can also operate on terrestrial IoT networks. This demonstration paves the way towards the delivery of seamless integration of satellite technology with the mobile networks of the future, extending coverage to remote regions and challenging geographies while supporting a variety of innovative IoT applications, including vehicle diagnostics, environmental monitoring, first responder connectivity, and smart metering.
