Comms Connect NZ panel highlight: non-terrestrial vs terrestrial networks

One of the highlights of the upcoming Comms Connect New Zealand conference, to be held in Christchurch from 26–27 June, will be a panel session featuring five industry and sector leaders discussing the pros, cons and synergies of non-terrestrial and terrestrial networks.

Keynote presenter Tony Baird, the CTO of One NZ, will be joined by Tait CEO Dr Yoram Benit, NGCC Relationship Manager Paul Smith, PSN Implementation Lead for NZ Police Kerei Gray and Rohde & Schwarz Head of Telecommunications Senthil Sundram. The session will be chaired by event MC Chris Stevens, Managing Director at CartGIS, and held on day two of the conference. The session synopsis below sets the scene for what will be a very interesting discussion.

In recent years we have seen a dimensional shift in the advancements of non-terrestrial networks (NTNs) to functionally fulfil our communications needs. These include unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), high-altitude platforms (HAPs) and satellite networks, which are traditionally used for certain applications such as disaster management, navigation, television broadcasting and remote sensing. However, while many of these technologies have been around for decades, recent tremendous developments of aerial/space technologies, coupled with the reduced cost of their manufacturing and launching, have enabled more advanced applications of NTNs when integrated with terrestrial communication networks.

In this context, various new use cases and applications have been envisioned mostly focusing on providing continuous, ubiquitous and high-capacity connectivity across the globe. Inherent coverage limitations of ground infrastructure (or terrestrial networks), as well as economic rationales, may prohibit terrestrial networks (TNs) deployment in remote or unreachable regions such as rural areas, deserts and oceans.

The use of NTNs in conjunction with the existing terrestrial infrastructure could provide a feasible and cost-effective solution for continuous and ubiquitous wireless coverage and thereby enable network scalability. By boosting non-terrestrial communications, NTNs provide numerous benefits including:

• Ubiquitous coverage
• Critical emergency support improvements
• Diagnostic enhancement functionality for farming via sensing capabilities
• Accurate monitoring of earth and climate variables
• Effective spread of risk and cost expenses across satellites.
   

However, it is not all beer and skittles as there are several challenges facing NTNs and their applications, and additional obstacles will arise as these networks evolve. These include:

• The space environment, including system site/equipment accessibility, extreme temperatures and radiation, consistent power generation and storage
• Size, weight, power and cost of launch
• Connectivity in constant motion
• Choice of transparent or regenerative payloads
• Network latency when using ultra-reliable low-latency communications (URLLC) standards/devices
• Geographic and cybersecurity.
   

Comms Connect NZ will take place at Te Pae Christchurch Convention Centre on 26–27 June and will feature 45 leading vendors on the expo floor and 35 expert presenters at the conference. As well as the panel discussion, day two will also feature a P25 half-day workshop as well as several other presentations. For more information and to register now, visit www.comms-connect.co.nz.