Introduction to the 3GPP-defined NTN standard: A comprehensive view on the 3GPP work on NTN

With the recent publication of a set of technical specifications in 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) related to non-terrestrial network (NTN) enhancements, a global standard for satellite systems is newly defined aiming to support any orbit, any frequency band, and any device. It opens the door for the seamless integration of satellite network component in 5G system and beyond, delivering the promise of a ubiquitous mobile system that can support new use cases. The emergence of hybrid terrestrial-satellite systems is the result of a joint effort between stakeholders of both mobile and satellite industries and is paving the way to new business opportunities. This paper attempts to provide a comprehensive view on this 3GPP NTN standard and what are the next steps.