Page 64 - SAMENA Trends - July-August 2023

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SATELLITE NEWS

VIAVI Introduces NTN and HAPs Network Testing for 5G and 6G Satellite

Communication

Viavi Solutions Inc. (VIAVI) announced releases expected to continue to refine the (UE), while still delivering on performance.
the availability of base station and end- standards. These specifications will help Test solutions are not only required to
to-end testing supporting Non-Terrestrial improve the performance of NTNs, allow emulate different UE mobility and fading
Networks (NTN) and High Altitude them to converge with terrestrial telecoms profiles, but they must also take the large
Platforms (HAPs). Wireless technologies networks and enable support across doppler shifts from fast-moving satellites
are increasingly augmenting traditional existing 5G mobile handsets and chipsets. and airborne platforms into consideration.
terrestrial communication networks, A VIAVI analysis estimated that the growth To validate the base station prior to non-
with satellite communications helping to in satellite communications will result terrestrial deployment, the TM500 can
provide near-complete coverage. The VIAVI in approximately 30,000 new satellites emulate a high volume of devices, new
TM500 and TeraVM test platforms validate orbiting the Earth, significantly expanding mobility patterns, signal propagation delays,
the conformance, performance and the potential of NTNs to provide universal and other conditions unique to NTN while
reliability of gNodeBs and entire networks coverage. Satellite communication in 5G TeraVM emulates the core network. This
under the unique service link conditions of brings another level of complexity for test scenario is ideal for early functional
NTN and HAPs networks. 3GPP Release 17 testing. NTNs need to be reliable to cope tests such as 3GPP protocol testing and
specifications formally introduced support with the distance, speed and mobility of can be applied to both regenerative and
and guidelines for NTNs, with subsequent both satellite, HAPs and User Equipment transparent architectures. Further test
scenarios are focused on testing and
optimizing the network end-to-end, using
a real core to validate the performance
and reliability of the entire network. "NTNs
offer new opportunities and partnerships
for mobile and satellite operators and the
exciting potential to offer connectivity
to both underserved and over-populated
areas as well as support mission-critical
applications," said Ian Langley, Senior Vice
President, Wireless Business Unit, VIAVI.
"However, amidst the growing interest and
race to deploy these networks, it's vital that
reliability, stability, and performance testing
are done to ensure success."

Intelsat is the Latest Satellite Operator to Clear C-Band

Intelsat, operator of one of the world’s incentive payments to satellite operators
largest integrated satellite and terrestrial if cleared before December 2023. With
networks, has confirmed that it will receive the validated certification now complete,
nearly US$3.7 billion in the fourth quarter of Intelsat says it will receive accelerated re-
2023 after completing its C-band frequency location payments totaling USD3.67 billion.
clearing obligations. The Federal Commu- Intelsat’s fellow satellite operators Telesat
nications Commission’s (FCC)’s ‘C-band and SES have previously announced that
Transition Order’ set a deadline to clear the they have concluded their own respective
spectrum by December 2025 but offered C-band clearing obligations.

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