© 2020

Published by

WHITE PAPER

The Role of Space-basedCommunications in the5G Era

2 | WHITE PAPER

IntroductionThe mobile industry is ushering in the 5G communications era. New standardsare being finalised, testbeds are proving technology worldwide and the firstcommercial services have recently been launched. 5G will enhance consumermobile services and enable a plethora of new use cases to serve a broad rangeof sectors from healthcare to education and from manufacturing totransportation.

The GSMA characterises the 5G era as an “age of boundless connectivity andintelligent automation.” Communication networks will have a more pervasiverole in society, with the aim of connecting everyone and everything, anywherein the world and whenever they need it. More than any previous mobilegeneration, 5G technology will expand connectivity to more people anddevices than ever before, with the potential to generate economic and socialbenefits for consumers, entire industries and society in general.

Realising the vision for 5G and meeting the requirements for a diverse set ofuse cases will require new ways of designing and delivering mobile networkconnectivity and coverage. In this respect, the evolution to 5G will be far moretransformative than past mobile generational shifts. More so than previousgenerations, 5G will rely on many technologies to create a network of networks,including 4G LTE, Wi-Fi and satellites, which are more aptly described asspace-based platforms. Furthermore, the networks will be designed forflexibility and programmability by incorporating Software-Defined Networking(SDN), network virtualization, automation, network slicing and architecturessuch as edge computing.

The evolution to 5G is potentially momentous for the mobile industry. Buttypical of major technological change, the hype surrounding 5G risks promisingtoo much, too soon and inflating expectations. This whitepaper presents aclear-eyed view of the 5G market, explains why 5G will be a network ofnetworks, and examines how spaced-based communications systems will becritical components of mobile network operators’ 5G strategies.

WHITE PAPER | 3

4 | The Role of Space-based Communications in the 5G Era

The Evolution to 5G 5G is the fifth generation of mobile networks.Each generation since the early 1990’s hasdelivered new capabilities and services: 2Gintroduced digital voice communications,expanded coverage and text messaging; 3Gbrought the mobile Internet and multimediacontent; and 4G delivered mobile broadband,high-speed data and smartphones (Figure 1).

5G targets higher network performance,reliability, energy savings and cost efficiency aswell as greater device connectivity. Theadvanced capabilities are needed not only tomeet surging mobile data traffic levels, but alsoto support new revenue-generating services byexpanding into vertical sectors, such ashealthcare, manufacturing, transportation, publicservices and the automotive industry.

Mobile data traffic is expected to grow annuallyat a rate of 31 percent over the next five years toreach 136 exabytes per month by end 2024, atwhich time 5G networks will carry 25 percent ofmobile data traffic globally, according to the

latest Ericsson Mobility Report. By 2024,smartphones will consume four times more dataon average than they do today, reaching anaverage 21 GB of data per month, drivenprimarily by video apps.

In addition to higher capacity for supportingmobile data growth, 5G will also enable mobilenetworks to connect a wider variety of devicesand support a broader range of use cases. Frommassive amounts of Internet of Things (IoT)connectivity to mission critical communications,mobile operators will be able to deliver reliable,cost-effective communications services toenterprise sectors that have previously beendifficult, or cost-prohibitive, to serve.

Unlike previous generations, the 5G network willbe not just another “G” but more like a “platformfor innovations,” as envisioned by Qualcomm.The new network capabilities will put mobileoperators at the heart of digital transformationinitiatives in many industries.

Figure 1

WHITE PAPER | 5

5G Evolution Leverages Existing NetworkAssets. The full capabilities of 5G are expectedto be rolled out gradually, making the nextmobile generation a network of networks andenabling operators to leverage existinginfrastructure more so than in the past. With on-going improvements to 4G LTE networks --whereby upgrades can achieve gigabit speeds –5G will complement 4G networks as technologygenerations are expected to co-exist for longer.

Broadly, there are two deployment scenarios for5G, as follows:

• Non-standalone (NSA), in which 4G and 5GNew Radio (NR) resources are combined andthe core network is either the existing 4GEvolved Packet Core (EPC) or new 5G Core(5GC). The earliest deployments will adoptNSA options.

• Standalone (SA), whereby only one radioaccess technology is used (5G NR or LTE) andoperated alone with the core. SA will deliverthe full capabilities of 5G. Later deployments,after 2020, are more likely to adopt SA.

The first commercial 5G deployments werelaunched in South Korea and the U.S. at the endof 2018, primarily for fixed wireless access(FWA). Most 5G deployments are expected after2020, however, once standards are finalised,more spectrum is issued and there are moredevices available. China, Japan, North Americaand South Korea are expected to lead the rolloutof 5G. By 2025, the GSMA forecasts 1.1 billion 5Gconnections, which would be 12 percent of totalmobile connections.

Figure 2

6 | The Role of Space-based Communications in the 5G Era

5G Use CasesThere are three main use cases for 5G: EnhancedMobile Broadband (eMBB), Massive MachineType Communications (mMTC) and MissionCritical Machine Type Communications (MC-MTC) (Figure 2).

Enhanced Mobile Broadband (eMBB). Most liketoday’s mobile broadband services, this use casewill also be the first deployed. Performancetargets will dramatically improve mobile datarates, latency, mobility, user density, indoor andoutdoor coverage, compared to today’snetworks, to support high-bandwidthapplications such as broadcasting andaugmented and virtual reality streaming, even incrowded environments where current networksare easily overloaded. FWA is another examplefor this use case, in which 5G network speedsmatch fixed-line capabilities. The goal is tosupport seamless mobile broadbandconnectivity everywhere in any networkcondition and at any time.

Higher data rates will accommodate usagescenarios such as real-time video conferences inoffices or bandwidth-hungry multimedia appsconsumed at various times of day and locations.Greater user mobility will support servicesconsumed on fast-moving vehicles, such astrains or cars. Whether indoors, outdoors, incongested hotspots with many users, such asstadiums or shopping malls, and at any time ofthe day, 5G will deliver mobile broadbandapplications, multimedia traffic and linear videobroadcasts.

Coverage requirements for eMBB span a widerange of scenarios from very small indoorlocations to extremely remote environments. Forexample, eMBB will enable better small areacoverage to serve indoor locations, such asclassrooms where teachers can offer remotelearning via real-time video conferencing, while itwill also extend coverage in rural areas with lownumbers of users to connect consumers and IoTmachines.

Massive Machine Type Communication (mMTC).The use case envisions significant numbers ofsensors or other devices connected via 5G andtransmitting low volume of traffic that is not

sensitive to latency delays. It requires coveragein urban as well as very remote areas to connectdevices that are typically low-powered with longbattery life. At the same time, the network mustalso have flexible capacity to support variableamounts of data traffic as some devices mayneed to intermittently send larger amounts ofdata (for example, a traffic monitoring camera ina smart city scenario).

The mMTC use case expands mobile networkservices into areas, such as smart cities, smartmetering, remote monitoring, fleet management,logistics, tracking and smart agriculture. Sensorsembedded in roads and railways can improvethe efficiency, safety, security and energyconsumption of transportation systems andvehicles. In agriculture, 5G-enabled sensornetworks will help farmers monitor cropconditions and livestock, making their operationsmore efficient.

The key to enabling massive scale deviceconnectivity is broad network coverage fromdeep into urban canyons to the most remoteareas.

Mission Critical Machine Type Communications(MC-MTC). Also known as ultra-reliable low-latency communications (URLLC), this use caseis characterised by strict requirements for veryhigh reliability and availability as well as very lowlatency for critical communications. Applicationsinclude industrial automation, remote surgery,traffic safety, smart grid, emergency servicesand remote manufacturing.

“5G will be a network ofnetworks that embracesmultiple technologies,including 4G LTE, 5GNR, Wi-Fi and space-based systems. ”

WHITE PAPER | 7

In the utility sector, for example, energy andwater companies need accurate, real-time dataabout their critical infrastructure to keepsupplies flowing as well as support moreefficient smart metering applications. Fromremote windfarms to municipal water supplies inlarge cities, 5G-connected sensors can secureand modernise utility grids.

In manufacturing and mining sectors, the abilityto have reliable, remote connectivity andprocessing can enable factory automation andremote control of critical infrastructure andheavy machinery, which will reduce their cost ofoperations and increase productivity.

To make 5G use cases a reality, mobile operatorswill need to rely on a variety of wirelessinfrastructure in radio access and transportnetworks. Since 5G embraces multiple 3GPP andnon-3GPP technologies, including 4G LTE, 5GNR, Wi-Fi and space-based systems, the nextmobile generation will be a network of networks.

Space-based platforms were recently added tothe mix of 5G access technologies by the 3GPP,and the standards body is working on specifyingrequirements for satellite access that will beincluded with the full 5G specs in Release 16. The3GPP recognises that satellite networks candeliver ubiquitous coverage and availability for5G industrial and mission critical applications.

Space-based networks are vital to today’s globalcommunications infrastructure, providingservices including mobile backhaul, broadband,linear and non-linear TV and IoT. In the 5G era,the advantages of satellites are even moreprofound – namely, ubiquity, resiliency andmobility as well as broadcasting.

Ubiquitous coverage. A small group orconstellation of satellites can cover virtually allthe inhabited Earth’s surface. Even one satellitecan cover a much vaster number of potentialsubscribers than any terrestrial network. Space-based platforms deliver continuous coverageworldwide and consistent coverage to targetedregions. Whether it’s eMBB, mMTC or MC-MTC,5G use cases require the ubiquitous coverage ofspace-based platforms.

Mobility and redundancy. When it comes tomobility, space-based platforms are ideal forproviding connectivity to users aboard movingvehicles, such as planes, trains and ships. Highermobility is one of the targets for the eMBBservices. In addition, mMTC and MC-MTC usecases require guaranteed uptime and networkreliability. For planned or unplanned networkoutages, space-based systems provide backupto restore services over terrestrial networkswherever a fault occurs.

Broadcast and multicast. Space-based networkstransmit multimedia content via broadcast andmulticast streams, which are importantcapabilities for enabling the 5G use cases – notonly for consumer multimedia services, but alsoa variety of applications that require edgecaching and local distribution. By broadcastingdata or media to the network edge, whether it isfor local content caching or software updates foredge servers, network operators can moreefficiently scale services and network capacity.

These capabilities augment terrestrial networksand enable mobile operators to accelerate thedevelopment of 5G services and applications.Mapped onto the 5G use cases, space-basedplatforms can deliver multi-gigabit speedsanywhere in the world for eMBB; they canbackhaul large-scale, remote IoT deploymentsfor mMTC; and they can provide network uptimeand reliable communications for MC-MTC,particularly via low-earth orbit networks.

The Role of Satellites in the 5G Network of Networks

8 | The Role of Space-based Communications in the 5G Era

Advanced Space-based Platforms for the 5G EraToday’s satellite networks are comprised of avariety of space-based platforms, includingGeostationary Earth Orbit (GEO), Medium EarthOrbit (MEO), Low Earth Orbit (LEO) systems aswell as High Altitude Platforms (HAPs).

• GEO space-based platforms cover largegeographic areas from a fixed pointapproximately 36,000 km above the earth’sequator and are synchronised with the earth’sorbit. GEO platforms provide coverage to aspecific area or region in a predictable andefficient manner. Because they are parked inspace above the area being covered, GEOplatforms only require small stationarydirectional antennas, which are lower in pricecompared to tracking antennas.

• MEO space-based platforms are non-stationaryand orbit around the Earth anywhere from 5 to10 hours at an altitude between 8,000 km and18,000 km. Because these platforms are closerto the earth with a faster orbit than GEOplatforms, they are deployed in largerconstellations to provide continuous coverage.MEO platforms are commonly used forpositioning information like GPS.

• LEO space-based platforms, as the nameimplies, orbit closer to Earth than MEO or GEOplatforms at altitudes between 400 km and1,500 km. To provide continuous coverage, LEOplatforms must be deployed in even largerconstellations than MEO. Because LEOplatforms orbit the Earth every 1.5 to 2 hours,each space-born vehicle must follow behindthe one before it in order to take over thecommunication. And because LEO platformsorbit closer to the Earth, they also providefaster connections than MEO and GEOplatforms.

• HAPs comprise manned or unmanned planes,balloons or airships that operate at a fixedpoint relative to Earth at low altitudes between20 km and 50 km. They cover smaller areasand can be quickly deployed to provide flexiblebroadband connectivity to specific locations.They can also provide remote monitoring for avariety of use cases such as detecting adverseweather conditions and earthquake activity oraiding in disaster recovery efforts.

High-throughput Satellites (HTS). Next-generation satellite technology, like HTS systems,deliver up to 10 times more throughput using thesame amount of frequency on orbit compared totraditional fixed-satellite service (FSS).Throughput can exceed 100 Mbps. HTS systemsfeature high power density, which allows mobileoperators to leverage smaller VSAT antennas,which are easier to deploy and install.

For 5G use cases, HTS systems for GEO, MEO orLEO installations can support mobile operatorsin delivering high-capacity broadband andbroadcast services anywhere in the world. HTSsystems also dramatically lower the cost-per-bitfor delivering services.

Advanced Antenna Technology. Innovations inantenna technology and design, such as phased-array antennas, have made it easier to accesshigh-throughput satellite capacity on the move.New satellite antennas are smaller, easier toinstall and more powerful than previousgenerations. These antennas are ideal forsupporting 5G broadband on the move toplanes, ships and trains, for example.

WHITE PAPER | 9

Space-based 5G Use CasesThe earliest 5G deployments are likely to centrearound the eMBB use case in dense urban areas.But with the inclusion of space-based networks,operators can expand 5G services beyond citycentres and support a wider variety of use cases.The following highlights some of the key space-based 5G use cases.

Edge Server Connectivity. Edge computingsuch as Multi-access Edge Computing (MEC) is akey feature of 5G networks, as performance andlow latency targets require processing to bedistributed from centralized data centres toedge servers closer to users. Space-basedplatforms can provide high-capacity backhaulconnectivity and multicasting to large numbersof edge servers over wide areas, therebycomplementing the terrestrial network withcost-effective scalability. Satellite-basedbackhaul can deliver content such as livebroadcasts, multicast streams or groupcommunications to the network edge as well asdistribute software updates for MECimplementations.

Fixed Backhaul to Remote Locations. Just as intoday’s networks, space-based systems willfacilitate 5G broadband connectivity tounderserved areas where it is not feasible todeploy terrestrial infrastructure, such as remotevillages, islands or mountainous regions. Thisalso includes broadband services on boardaircraft or ships, as well as in suburban and ruralareas. Satellites will also support community 5GWi-Fi services, where there is limited or non-existent broadband. Space-based backhaul willalso provide disaster relief services, supportemergency response teams as well as deliverbroadband connectivity for one-offentertainment or sports events anywhere in theworld.

Hybrid Networks. Space-based platforms canprovide high-speed connectivity directly tohomes and offices for streaming multicastcontent across large geographic areas, orunicasting content to devices or users. Hybridnetworks also support the aggregation of IoTdata in massive machine-type communications.High-capacity satellite links provide directconnectivity to users as well as complementterrestrial networks.

5G on Moving Platforms. Satellite-basednetworks are the only means for delivering 5Gbroadband to users on board moving vessels,including cars, ships, airplanes and high-speedtrains. The capability not only applies to theeMBB use case but also mMTC, as satellites canaggregate traffic from IoT sensors installed inmoving vehicles. This supports applications forfleet management, navigation and connectedcars. In addition, space-based broadcastcapabilities support over-the-air softwareupdates for connected cars anywhere in theworld.

IoT Service Continuity. In criticalcommunications, space-based systems provide aresilient backup to terrestrial networks anywherein the world. As IoT scales to massiveconnectivity in the 5G era, satellites will deliverthe service continuity needed for criticalcommunications as well as future industrialcontrol applications.

It is important to note that since 5G is anevolution and will be combined with existing 4Ginfrastructure in the short- to medium-term,network operators don’t have to wait for 5G tostart supporting many of the above use cases.Space-based solutions can be deployed as partof 4G network strategies and will then be readyto support future 5G services.

ConclusionSpace-based communication platforms are set to play a larger role in mobilenetwork strategies in the 5G era. The variety of use cases with diverserequirements as well as the ambition to connect everyone and everything makespace-based solution providers ideal partners to deliver 5G network strategies.As a member of the GSMA and ATIS, Intelsat is leading the discussion about theimportant role of space-based communications in 5G networks. The seamlessconnectivity across technologies in the 5G era, enabled by the network ofnetworks that includes space-based communications, opens new verticals formobile operators to expand their markets and explore new revenue streams.

10 | The Role of Space-based Communications in the 5G Era

© 2020

Produced by the mobile industry for the mobileindustry, Mobile World Live is the leading multimediaresource that keeps mobile professionals on top of thenews and issues shaping the market. It offers dailybreaking news from around the globe. Exclusive videointerviews with business leaders and event reportsprovide comprehensive insight into the latestdevelopments and key issues. All enhanced by incisiveanalysis from our team of expert commentators. Ourresponsive website design ensures the best readingexperience on any device so readers can keep up-to-date wherever they are.

We also publish five regular eNewsletters to keep themobile industry up-to-speed: The Mobile World LiveDaily, plus weekly newsletters on Mobile Apps, Asia,Mobile Devices and Mobile Money.

What’s more, Mobile World Live produces webinars,the Show Daily publications for all GSMA events andMobile World Live TV – the award-winning broadcastservice of Mobile World Congress and exclusive hometo all GSMA event keynote presentations.

Find out more www.mobileworldlive.com

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this whitepaper are those of the authorsand do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the GSMA or its subsidiaries.

As the foundational architects of satellite technology, Intelsat operates the largest, most advanced satellite fleet and connectivity infrastructure in the world. We apply our unparalleled expertise and global scale to reliably and seamlessly connect people, devices and networks in even the most challenging and remote locations. Transformation happens when businesses, governments and communities build a ubiquitous connected future through Intelsat’s next-generation global network and simplified managed services.

At Intelsat, we turn possibilities into reality. Imagine Here, with us, at Intelsat.com.

To learn more, visit www.intelsat.com

19/02/8196-5G