The Mobile Satellite Services Association: Plenty Busy at Six Months

Launched amid fanfare in early February, the Mobile Satellite Services Association (MSSA), made up of a handful of satellite operators, still plans to deliver standards-based direct-to-device (D2D) services.

The group – ViaSat, Omnispace, Ligado Network, Terrestar Solutions and Yahsat – created the nonprofit to drive the nascent direct to smartphone market using their radio waves (100 MHz in the L and S bands) rather than spectrum derived from terrestrial mobile network operators.

A top 10 trend for 2024

In its annual tech trend ranking in mid-July, McKinsey put direct to handset satellite connectivity at number 8. “Partnerships between telecom companies and satellite players allow direct access from phone to satellite, expanding network coverage beyond the reach of traditional cellular towers.”

This emerging trend saw AT&T and Verizon invest millions in AST SpaceMobile, an emerging player in satellite services, with the intent of creating mobile global satellite services for direct to cell service. AST plans to launch the satellites required in October.

Prior to the MSSA launch in February, satellite giant Stardust announced plans to add a standards-based offering under Project Stardust to its proprietary approach. A new standards-based solution will be deployed on Iridium's existing satellite network, giving the company a unique ability to offer both high-quality proprietary and standardized D2D and IoT services to its customers.

The MSSA Update

"Our goal is to develop a business model in space that mirrors the cellular model. This model would then integrate seamlessly into the cellular ecosystem, allowing terrestrial services to extend effortlessly with satellite connectivity," explained Jacques Leduc, MSSA Board – Treasurer, spokesperson. He is also the CEO of TerreStar Solutions, a Canadian satellite operator.

Can you provide any specific developments and progress MSSA has made since your February launch? New members? Accomplishments?

It has only been a scant six months, and already, the MSSA has doubled its membership (see all members here).

 "The Association has transitioned from a startup/setup to operational mode in the past quarter," explained LeDuc. The member list is growing, and this indicates strong interest throughout the 'Non-Terrestrial Network' (NTN) ecosystem. It is attracting new members across the NTN value chain.

The MSSA has and will continue to provide comments on several international regulatory policy consultations from international and domestic policies in the satellite Direct-to-Device (D2D) spectrum trade-offs, LeDuc said (posted on the MSSA website).

What is the MSSA 2024 roadmap?

The Association's focus for the next six months is on providing inputs on key NTN standards (3GPP Release 19+), developing a series of whitepapers outlining the superior benefits that MSS NTN spectrum provides mobile device ecosystems to enable universal coverage and mobile cellular-like services and experience. "The Association will also focus on aligning with other related forums focusing on NTN (GSMA and ESA) and on adding and onboarding leading global MNOs and device ecosystem members into the association. "

What must happen to get there? In addition to providing input on key NTN standards, the MSSA will also focus on aligning with other related forums focusing on NTN (GSMA and ESA) and on adding global MNOs and device ecosystem members.

Additionally, all satellite operators are welcome to join as members to support 5G NTN ecosystem development, and drive scale benefits to the 5G NTN marketplace, and contribute spectrum and platforms.

Technologies drive connectivity

The 3GPP and other related NTN Forums will study, promote, and develop new additional spectrum bands, features, technology solutions, and increased functionality for 5G non-terrestrial networks, said LeDuc. 3GPP will globally standardize, contribute, and specify operational standards far beyond test and certification.

The MSSA claims it is focused on achieving the following objectives:

What lies ahead for MSSA?

The MSSA plans to onboard several new members per month, provide responses to policy consultations on new mobile-satellite services, and collaborate in new global NTN forums and standards-body activities.

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