Cloud-native network infrastructure provider Mavenir and Canadian mobile satellite operator Terrestar have conducted the first NB-IoT live data sessions via the Echostar T1 satellite.

Terrestar’s satellite provides a geostationary Earth orbit (GEO) non-terrestrial network (NTN).

Unlike simulations, these sessions were conducted under real-world conditions, proving the robustness of this technology.

The two companies completed over-the-air testing of NB-IoT for NTN in Allan Park, Ontario, demonstrating functions spanning network attach, paging, ping, data sessions and non-IP data delivery (NIDD). The trials also included continuous 24-hour connectivity, validating the maturity and stability of Mavenir’s offering under real-world conditions. The data sessions were achieved using commercial IoT modules, showcasing the readiness of the technology for commercial deployment using 3GPP-standardised products from various vendors.

Mavenir developed a custom radio access network (RAN) interface to integrate seamlessly with Terrestar’s satellite ground station equipment, aligning with Terrestar’s infrastructure to deliver satellite-based NB-IoT services. This lays the groundwork for future advancements, as Mavenir and Terrestar develop enhanced capabilities, including voice services and 5G NR, with plans to expand testing to additional sites across Canada, providing ubiquitous satellite coverage even in the most remote regions.

Mavenir and Terrestar have also opened a lab in Montreal designed to advance NB-IoT testing and facilitate seamless integration with Terrestar partners. Equipped with Mavenir’s RAN and Core products running on Amazon Web Services (AWS) public cloud, the lab supports NTN on NB-IoT. This should accelerate the development and deployment of satellite-based connected services, reinforcing the commitment to innovation and collaboration in the space.

“Since the dawn of GSM, the biggest challenge facing the mobile industry remains delivering universal coverage, in particular in regions where there is no current economic case,” said Pardeep Kohli, CEO of Mavenir. “Non-terrestrial networks are ideal for this, efficiently delivering cost-effective coverage over wide areas, both opening new markets and augmenting existing terrestrial cellular services. Today’s announcement with our partners at Terrestar underscores our shared commitment to advancing connectivity through satellite-based technologies.”

Jacques Leduc, CEO of Terrestar, added: “This achievement represents a major milestone in our collaboration with Mavenir to bring commercial NB-IoT to market as the first phase of service evolution for mass market services. It also aligns with our mission to connect all Canadians everywhere, to everything using our MSS spectrum and standardised technology to complement MNO architecture. By successfully testing our joint NTN in real-world conditions, we have demonstrated the maturity and reliability of this technology. The establishment of the Montreal lab will further accelerate partners’ testing, paving the way for large-scale IoT deployments across Canada.”

Mavenir has produced a whitepaper (www.mavenir.com/portfolio/mavair/non-terrestrial-network-ntn) exploring the transformative potential of NTNs in extending connectivity beyond traditional boundaries. It highlights the advantages of NTN for CSPs, including cost-efficiency in underserved areas, advancements in 3GPP standards for seamless satellite integration, and Mavenir’s cloud-native NTN RAN approach.

Terrestar (www.terrestarsolutions.ca) is a Canadian mobile satellite operator engaged in the race to bring direct-to-device satellite services to smartphones and IoT devices and make anywhere-in-Canada communications a reality.

Texas-based Mavenir (www.mavenir.com) is building networks with cloud-native, AI-enabled technology which are green by design, empowering operators to realise the benefits of 5G and achieve intelligent, automated, programmable networks.