Thames and Chiltern Region Events

The lecture will take us on a tour through the evolution of telecommunications, from crackly analogue lines to modern SD WAN. We will explore telecoms as the electronic transmission of voice, data, IP, and video over distance via cable, radio, or satellite - forming the global network that underpins communication and internet access today.

The convergence of Non- Terrestrial Networks (NTN) and Satcom on the Move (SOTM) is reshaping global connectivity, enabling resilient communication across terrestrial and satellite domains. As integration with 5G and future 6G accelerates, challenges around spectrum coordination, regulation and cross border operation intensify. SOTM use across land, air and sea adds further complexity, compounded by limited standardised testing and validation. This panel examines regulatory, technical and validation needs, highlighting the importance of harmonised standards to support interoperable, scalable NTN and SOTM deployment.