From Mobile to Non-Terrestrial Networks: A New Era for OSS

Introduction

Non-terrestrial networks (NTNs) are gaining traction as critical components of global connectivity solutions. With the growing demand for seamless and ubiquitous coverage, including in remote and underserved areas, NTNs offer potential. Much media coverage has been around satellite launches, the rapidly increasing number of thousands of Low-Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites in the sky, and direct-to-satellite capabilities in standard smartphones.

However, the evolution of NTNs requires innovative and adaptable network operations and business systems. This article explores the shifting landscape of NTNs, the convergence of fixed, mobile, and satellite services, and how advanced Operations Support Systems (OSS) are crucial to unlocking their full potential. As part of our discussion, we’ll look at Netcracker’s new Digital Satellite Solution, tailored to meet these evolving needs.

The Changing Landscape of NTNs

Several factors on both the supply and demand sides drive the increasing interest in NTNs.

Supply-side Factors:

Technological advancements have played a pivotal role. The cost of satellite launches has decreased, and LEO satellites and terminals have improved capability and affordability. Widespread availability from prominent providers like Starlink (today) and Amazon’s Project Kuiper (soon) will drive competitively priced solutions to both consumers and businesses. Modern phones like Apple’s recent iPhones now have built-in satellite support for emergencies, facilitating direct connectivity without requiring specialized satellite phones.

Demand-side Factors:

The availability of LEO services like Starlink has sparked strong consumer interest, with many consumers and businesses open to using LEO as a primary or backup link (as robust connectivity becomes critical for hybrid work or work-from-home setups). Communication Service Providers (CSPs) are eager to diversify their solutions, extending coverage to rural areas where traditional terrestrial networks fall short, leading them to seek NTN partners. There is a growing need for onboard passenger connectivity on airplanes and ships that rely on satellite networks.

Convergence of Services: xEO and Mobile

Regardless of GEO, MEO, LEO, or even highly elliptical orbit (HEO)—collectively xEOs—NTNs have been part of the communications landscape for many years, though they were viewed as specialized and expensive. With the drivers above, NTNs will converge with other wireless connectivity, notably terrestrial mobile networks for smartphones and IoT devices.

3GPP Initiatives for NTNs

3GPP’s inclusion of NTNs was marked by feasibility studies and high-level discussions on integrating satellite components into 5G networks as early as 3GPP Releases 15 and 16. Release 17 marked a significant milestone, introducing the first standardized support for 5G NTNs. It included specifications for using satellite and other non-terrestrial platforms to deliver 5G services. Key features included the integration of NTN into the New Radio (NR) framework and enhancements for hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) processes to handle larger propagation delays. Subsequently, with Release 18, 3GPP enhanced NTN capabilities further, focusing on regenerative payload architectures, multi-connectivity, and improved mobility management.

Looking ahead to 6G, 3GPP envisions a unified network architecture that seamlessly integrates terrestrial and non-terrestrial components. This vision includes support for extremely high data rates, ultra-low latency, advanced applications like digital twins, connected intelligence, and immersive communications.

CSPs are exploring the convergence of xEO and mobile services to provide enhanced connectivity solutions for consumers and businesses. Some CSPs already have partnerships with xEO providers, piloting direct-to-cell messaging or calling. Hyperscalers like AWS with Amazon Kuiper and Microsoft with their Azure Orbital offerings have shown significant interest through various partnerships and initiatives. These collaborations highlight the potential for CSPs, hyperscalers, and NTN providers to work together on backhaul, data center, edge data center, ground stations, and User Equipment (UE) connectivity, offering more robust and extensive coverage solutions.

Addressing the Expanded Market

Like other industry analysts, AvidThink expects increased joint and crossover offerings between xEOs and mobile networks in the communications market. As with mobile networks, xEO systems need operations and business support infrastructure. Existing support systems used by incumbent GEO players will prove inadequate for the dynamic needs of modern NTNs, especially given the real-time requirements and scalability demand of LEOs.

While greenfield LEO players with deeper pockets like Starlink (with parent SpaceX) and Amazon might develop sophisticated in-house operational systems for management and real-time operations of their constellations, ground stations, and interconnects, other xEO players will rely on external technology providers. Even for those with in-house systems, there will be a need for systems that can span multiple domains, given the ongoing tie-ups between mobile, wireline, and NTN communications providers.

Regardless, we see an increasing market need for sophisticated OSS and BSS (Business Support Systems) that can serve NTNs. Modernized cloud-native OSS and BSS systems used by digitally-transformed wireless and wireline carriers could be used as starting points, but NTNs have more rigorous requirements. Key issues existing OSS/BSS systems will face include:

NTNs exhibit extreme dynamism, with fast-moving LEO satellites, diverse and numerous ground stations, and constantly changing topology. This necessitates real-time tracking and updates to the service inventory.
Services must be managed across multiple domains, including satellites in different orbits, terrestrial networks, ground stations, and telco integration points. This multi-domain orchestration is more complex than in 5G networks, even for systems that support network slicing.
NTNs operate at a much larger scale, with global constellations and diverse on-demand services.
Guaranteeing SLAs is more challenging, with multiple dynamic thresholds based on satellite location and user terminal positioning. Standard terrestrial approaches to SLAs are insufficient.
Long round-trip delays in NTNs exceed standard 5G network timings for schemes like HARQ, making TDD operation infeasible.
Mobility management is complicated by the high speeds of satellites and user terminals, large coverage areas, and the use of directional antennas at mmWave frequencies (e.g., Ka-band in satellite communications). Tracking and handover are more complex than in terrestrial networks.
Additional challenges arise in constellation management, inter-satellite coordination, and meeting diverse global regulatory requirements across many countries.

These complex, multi-domain operations demand advanced OSS systems capable of handling real-time service topology, dynamic SLAs, and inventory management on a global scale. Given the scale and time sensitivity of operations, any operational system in this arena will have to incorporate AI and machine learning to manage the complexity.

Examining Netcracker’s Approach to NTNs

AvidThink spent time with Netcracker examining their recently-launched offering. Much of the innovations come from Netcracker’s work with their NTN customers, including Telesat and Viasat. Netcracker has enhanced its OSS solutions to meet the unique needs of NTNs while applying its modern BSS to provide NTNs with digital engagement channels, partner management systems, and flexible billing and charging options.

Some critical aspects of Netcracker’s Digital Satellite Solution include:

An advanced real-time operations environment featuring a new AI-driven service inventory that can handle thousands of topology changes per second. This allows Netcracker’s solution to maintain an accurate, up-to-date view of the end-to-end service and deliver optimal service quality at all times, even in highly dynamic NTN environments.
Dynamic SLA management capabilities, including multi-dimensional service level objective (SLO) calculations, dynamic violation thresholds, and AI-based predictions of future thresholds and SLA breaches. This enables NTN providers to offer and assure premium SLAs to their customers.
Leading-edge AI is woven throughout Netcracker’s OSS stack. AI plays a key role in managing real-time service topology, implementing closed-loop automation, and optimizing SLA-aware capacity management. The AI-driven approach allows the OSS to scale efficiently and react in real-time to the unique challenges of NTN operations.
A flexible, cloud-native BSS solution that allows NTN providers to effectively monetize diverse services for their global customer base. Their open digital ecosystem APIs and advanced partner management systems enable partners and customers to integrate and engage efficiently.
A unique combination of deep telco IT expertise, success in delivering numerous large-scale BSS/OSS transformations, and years of experience in the satellite industry. Netcracker has been supporting major satellite providers such as Telesat and Viasat. This positions Netcracker to better understand and address the needs of NTN providers.
A proven blueprint approach to NTN OSS/BSS that reduces the costs and risks associated with these transformational projects.

AvidThink’s Viewpoint:

AvidThink recognizes the innovative changes Netcracker has made to cater to NTN needs. The company’s approach to SLA management and real-time inventory significantly benefits existing OSS/BSS at CSPs. This integration can lead to synergies between NTN and CSP domains, preparing networks for future 6G capabilities.

Conclusion and Future of NTN and OSS/BSS

As NTNs evolve, the need for modern OSS/BSS systems becomes increasingly evident. Greenfield LEO players will need an advanced OSS capable of meeting the scalability and responsiveness requirements of NTNs. These new OSS can also address other xEO domains, allowing xEO incumbents entering into LEO and MEO markets to have one consistent platform across all domains. As the industry moves towards 6G, the convergence of terrestrial and non-terrestrial networks will likely become the norm, and picking the right OSS can help lay the foundation.

The future of NTNs hinges on integrating advanced OSS/BSS systems. Companies like Netcracker are at the forefront, bringing innovative solutions that address the complex needs of modern NTNs and ensure seamless, efficient, and reliable connectivity for the global market.

Note: Sponsors do not have any editorial control over article content, and the views represented herein are solely those of AvidThink LLC.