GSMA Roundtable at Harmonised Skies 2026 – From Challenges to Breakthroughs: Breaking Barriers for Mobile Connectivity in Aviation

Mobile connectivity has the potential to become a critical enabler of next-generation aviation, from BVLOS drone operations and autonomous systems to advanced air mobility and increasingly connected aircraft.

As 4G and 5G capabilities evolve, mobile networks can provide wide-area connectivity, identification, authentication, and increasingly sophisticated support for aerial users. Yet moving from technical possibility to safe, reliable and commercially viable deployment at scale requires closer alignment across industries. The use of commercial mobile networks is also changing the paradigm of aviation communications, creating new technical, regulatory and business model considerations.

This invite-only roundtable is a closed-door, executive-level discussion bringing together MNOs, network and technology vendors, drone and UAS manufacturers, UTM providers, aviation stakeholders and regulators to explore what is possible today, identify the barriers to scale and, most importantly, determine what the ecosystem can do collectively to advance connected aviation. We are aiming for 20–25 participants to ensure a focused, engaging and interactive discussion.

The roundtable will begin with a short presentation by GSMA, highlighting ongoing activities and initiatives across the Drone Interest Group and Fusion, followed by an interactive discussion open to all participants.

Breakfast will be served from 8:00am, ahead of the roundtable, to ensure we can start promptly at 8:30. We look forward to bringing together this diverse group of industry leaders for an open and constructive discussion on Mobile Connectivity in Aviation.

If you’re interested in joining us, please email smartmobility@gsma.com. We will review your request and confirm your attendance within 1–2 working days.