{"id":14958,"date":"2026-01-20T11:06:55","date_gmt":"2026-01-20T11:06:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.gsma.com\/get-involved\/working-groups\/?p=14958"},"modified":"2026-02-12T15:00:30","modified_gmt":"2026-02-12T15:00:30","slug":"combining-satellite-and-cellular-connectivity","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.gsma.com\/get-involved\/working-groups\/content-type\/webinar-content-type\/combining-satellite-and-cellular-connectivity\/","title":{"rendered":"Combining Satellite and Cellular Connectivity"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Barbara Pareglio, Senior Technical Director explains how the GSMA\u2019s Working Groups<\/a> are helping the mobile industry harness the full potential of non-terrestrial networks.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When you\u2019re travelling, your handset can connect to many different mobile networks (thanks to standardisation and roaming agreements between operators). Ideally, in the absence of mobile connectivity, your handset would also be able to connect to any satellite network.   <\/p>\n\n\n\n

That\u2019s not the case today, but that is where the mobile and satellite industries are heading. Cellular standards body 3GPP<\/a> is paving the way, by integrating non-terrestrial networks (NTN) into its latest releases. At the same time, the GSMA\u2019s NTN Community<\/a> and working groups are helping operators to translate the standards into real services by developing guidelines to enable interworking and roaming across terrestrial and satellite networks. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fully integrating satellite networks into the broader telecoms sector is important because there is never realistically going to be cellular coverage across most of the Earth\u2019s surface. While mobile broadband networks (3G, 4G or 5G) reach more than 95% of the world\u2019s population, the majority of the Earth\u2019s landmass lacks cellular coverage. And, most of the seas, which account for 70% of the earth\u2019s area, are not covered by cellular networks.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

By contrast, NTN can provide coverage to buildings, boats, aircraft, vehicles, cyclists and hikers, no matter where they are.  At the same time, satellites are becoming increasingly capable of supporting the services and applications we associate with mobile networks, including voice calls, messages, navigation and internet access. Some NTNs now have direct-to-device (D2D) capabilities, which enable mobile handsets to communicate directly with a satellite, removing the need for end-users to purchase and carry specialist terminals.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The satellite industry \u2013 diverse and dynamic<\/strong> <\/h5>\n\n\n\n

While satellite operators are forging partnerships with mobile network operators, bringing these two industries together is far from straightforward. That\u2019s because satellite constellations are both diverse and expanding rapidly. Whereas low earth orbit (LEO) constellations are set to consist of thousands of satellites, their geostationary (GEO) counterparts might only need a few dozen. Even within the LEO sector, constellations vary enormously. For example, Starlink, which is offering broadband to homes and businesses, already has more than 7,800 LEO satellites in orbit, and is planning to have 12,000, while Globalstar is providing D2D connectivity to iPhones using just 32 LEO satellites. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

While some constellations are designed to support 3GPP standards, others are not. Where satellite services are fully compatible with 3GPP, they can be fully interfaced with terrestrial connectivity through the mobile operator\u2019s core network or even the radio access network (RAN). As with terrestrial networks, interworking can occur at different levels. For example, interworking could be achieved via core interconnections, RAN interconnections or slicing scenarios. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, some of today\u2019s D2D services are either proprietary (such as Apple\u2019s Emergency SOS via satellite) or are only partially compliant with 3GPP standards. To support interworking between terrestrial networks and partially compliant services, a first level of service interworking can be realised at a core network level.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Refining devices, networks and roaming agreements<\/strong> <\/h5>\n\n\n\n

Within this complex and dynamic environment, the GSMA has begun developing guidelines that cover everything from device compatibility to the commercial aspects of roaming.  The GSMA Terminal Steering Group <\/a>(TSG), the GSMA Networks Group<\/a> (NG) and the GSMA Wholesale Agreements and Solutions\u202fGroup<\/a> (WAS) are all busy tightening the integration of NTNs into the mobile ecosystem. This work is focused on supporting the rollout of both D2D services and 5G-based broadband by NTNs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The TSG, for example, is building on the work of 3GPP RAN5, which is responsible for creating conformance test specifications at the radio interface, encompassing IoT-NTN technologies and, in future, NR-NTN.  To provide additional layers of validation for NTN components in live networks, the TSG is ensuring that NTN deployments meet the expected performance levels in real-world environments.  Most of the conformance and field test cases defined in TSG form part of the GCF and PTCRB certification criteria, as well as being used by mobile operators for their own device approval processes.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The TSG is also looking to optimise how devices select satellite networks, while ensuring consistency with the existing mechanisms used to select terrestrial networks. Meanwhile, the Networks Group is adapting the GSMA\u2019s R21 permanent reference document (PRD), which is used by mobile operators to underpin commercial roaming agreements, to support roaming across NTN and terrestrial networks. At the same time, the WAS is exploring potential charging models and related business models. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In each and every case, our working groups are looking to ensure that their output fully reflects the technical and commercial realities on the ground (and in the skies). If you are working in this space, please get involved. With so much happening in this sector, we are keen to benefit from a broad spectrum of expertise from across the NTN and terrestrial ecosystems. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

 
For more on this topic, see a recent LinkedIn Live webinar,<\/a> in which I outlined how the GSMA\u2019s NTN Community is supporting the GSMA\u2019s working groups. In that discussion, Shahbaz Ali, VP of Product and Standards at Sateliot and Michele Zarri, Senior 3PP Expert at Huawei, highlighted the key activities within each working group and discussed how these initiatives benefit the wider ecosystem and their organisations. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"A<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n
Download slides<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
Get involved<\/h5>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re a GSMA Member and interested in collaborating on this topic, find out more about the NTN Community.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Download our latest whitepaper on NTN \u2013 Opportunities and Challenges.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Become a GSMA Member<\/h5>\n\n\n\n

Join a global community of like-minded professionals and organisations who share a common goal of advancing the mobile ecosystem. Find out more.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Barbara Pareglio, Senior Technical Director explains how the GSMA\u2019s Working Groups are helping the mobile industry harness the full potential of non-terrestrial networks. When you\u2019re travelling, your handset can connect to many different mobile networks (thanks to standardisation and roaming agreements between operators). Ideally, in the absence of mobile connectivity, your handset would also be able to connect to any satellite network.    That\u2019s not the case […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":90,"featured_media":15002,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_oasis_is_in_workflow":0,"_oasis_original":0,"_oasis_task_priority":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[2921],"tags":[],"algolia_discover_type":[2895],"class_list":["post-14958","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-webinar-content-type","algolia_discover_type-article"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"yoast_head":"\nCombining Satellite and Cellular Connectivity - NTN community - Working Groups<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Barbara Pareglio explains how the GSMA\u2019s working groups are helping the mobile industry harness the full potential of non-terrestrial networks.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gsma.com\/get-involved\/working-groups\/content-type\/webinar-content-type\/combining-satellite-and-cellular-connectivity\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Combining Satellite and Cellular Connectivity - NTN community - Working Groups\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Barbara Pareglio explains how the GSMA\u2019s working groups are helping the mobile industry harness the full potential of non-terrestrial networks.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.gsma.com\/get-involved\/working-groups\/content-type\/webinar-content-type\/combining-satellite-and-cellular-connectivity\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Working Groups\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/gsma\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2026-01-20T11:06:55+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2026-02-12T15:00:30+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/www.gsma.com\/get-involved\/working-groups\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/NTN-Image-for-Blog.png\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"440\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"190\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/png\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"rstevenson\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:creator\" content=\"@GSMA\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@GSMA\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"rstevenson\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"5 minutes\" \/>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO Premium plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"Combining Satellite and Cellular Connectivity - NTN community - Working Groups","description":"Barbara Pareglio explains how the GSMA\u2019s working groups are helping the mobile industry harness the full potential of non-terrestrial networks.","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/www.gsma.com\/get-involved\/working-groups\/content-type\/webinar-content-type\/combining-satellite-and-cellular-connectivity\/","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"Combining Satellite and Cellular Connectivity - NTN community - Working Groups","og_description":"Barbara Pareglio explains how the GSMA\u2019s working groups are helping the mobile industry harness the full potential of non-terrestrial networks.","og_url":"https:\/\/www.gsma.com\/get-involved\/working-groups\/content-type\/webinar-content-type\/combining-satellite-and-cellular-connectivity\/","og_site_name":"Working Groups","article_publisher":"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/gsma\/","article_published_time":"2026-01-20T11:06:55+00:00","article_modified_time":"2026-02-12T15:00:30+00:00","og_image":[{"width":440,"height":190,"url":"https:\/\/www.gsma.com\/get-involved\/working-groups\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/NTN-Image-for-Blog.png","type":"image\/png"}],"author":"rstevenson","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_creator":"@GSMA","twitter_site":"@GSMA","twitter_misc":{"Written by":"rstevenson","Est. reading time":"5 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/www.gsma.com\/get-involved\/working-groups\/content-type\/webinar-content-type\/combining-satellite-and-cellular-connectivity\/","url":"https:\/\/www.gsma.com\/get-involved\/working-groups\/content-type\/webinar-content-type\/combining-satellite-and-cellular-connectivity\/","name":"Combining Satellite and Cellular Connectivity - NTN community - Working Groups","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.gsma.com\/get-involved\/working-groups\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.gsma.com\/get-involved\/working-groups\/content-type\/webinar-content-type\/combining-satellite-and-cellular-connectivity\/#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.gsma.com\/get-involved\/working-groups\/content-type\/webinar-content-type\/combining-satellite-and-cellular-connectivity\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/www.gsma.com\/get-involved\/working-groups\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/NTN-Image-for-Blog.png","datePublished":"2026-01-20T11:06:55+00:00","dateModified":"2026-02-12T15:00:30+00:00","author":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.gsma.com\/get-involved\/working-groups\/#\/schema\/person\/c0ff63e3a1d57bb8fbb987dfe5ae9487"},"description":"Barbara Pareglio explains how the GSMA\u2019s working groups are helping the mobile industry harness the full potential of non-terrestrial networks.","inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/www.gsma.com\/get-involved\/working-groups\/content-type\/webinar-content-type\/combining-satellite-and-cellular-connectivity\/"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/www.gsma.com\/get-involved\/working-groups\/content-type\/webinar-content-type\/combining-satellite-and-cellular-connectivity\/#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/www.gsma.com\/get-involved\/working-groups\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/NTN-Image-for-Blog.png","contentUrl":"https:\/\/www.gsma.com\/get-involved\/working-groups\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/NTN-Image-for-Blog.png","width":440,"height":190,"caption":"A large NTN satellite orbits above Earth with solar panels extended, illustrating Non-Terrestrial Networks. Below, city lights and landmasses mark night and day, as the satellite faces Earth\u2014showcasing interoperability guided by GSMA Working Groups."},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/www.gsma.com\/get-involved\/working-groups\/#website","url":"https:\/\/www.gsma.com\/get-involved\/working-groups\/","name":"Working Groups","description":"","potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/www.gsma.com\/get-involved\/working-groups\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/www.gsma.com\/get-involved\/working-groups\/#\/schema\/person\/c0ff63e3a1d57bb8fbb987dfe5ae9487","name":"rstevenson","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/www.gsma.com\/get-involved\/working-groups\/#\/schema\/person\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/501ad45d0a5b8fc37c139f3e940f7727?s=96&d=mm&r=g","contentUrl":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/501ad45d0a5b8fc37c139f3e940f7727?s=96&d=mm&r=g","caption":"rstevenson"}}]}},"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/www.gsma.com\/get-involved\/working-groups\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/NTN-Image-for-Blog.png","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/pffbWI-3Tg","featured_image_url":"https:\/\/www.gsma.com\/get-involved\/working-groups\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/NTN-Image-for-Blog.png","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.gsma.com\/get-involved\/working-groups\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14958"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.gsma.com\/get-involved\/working-groups\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.gsma.com\/get-involved\/working-groups\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gsma.com\/get-involved\/working-groups\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/90"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gsma.com\/get-involved\/working-groups\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=14958"}],"version-history":[{"count":18,"href":"https:\/\/www.gsma.com\/get-involved\/working-groups\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14958\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":15004,"href":"https:\/\/www.gsma.com\/get-involved\/working-groups\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14958\/revisions\/15004"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gsma.com\/get-involved\/working-groups\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/15002"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.gsma.com\/get-involved\/working-groups\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=14958"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gsma.com\/get-involved\/working-groups\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=14958"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gsma.com\/get-involved\/working-groups\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=14958"},{"taxonomy":"algolia_discover_type","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gsma.com\/get-involved\/working-groups\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/algolia_discover_type?post=14958"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}