Non-Terrestrial Networks panel discussion at 5G Techritory 2024Will TownsendThis year marked my sixth anniversary participating in 5G Techritory. Based in the beautiful Latvian city of Riga, the events mission is to highlight innovative use cases that leverage the power of 5G, AI, mixed reality and more while also fostering collaboration between government and private industry. These efforts over the years have culminated in many creative applications that are transforming financial services, transportation, healthcare and public safety within the European Union and beyond.The program was much the same in October at this years 5G Techritory. I would like to share my insights from visiting the Freeport of Riga for a 5G technical demonstration before the conference started and then attending keynotes and breakouts and hosting panel discussions during the event.Breaking The 5G IceUpon my arrival in Riga after a very long set of flights, I crossed the length of the city to spend time with port services provider LVR Flote and mobile network operator LMT Innovations at the Freeport of Riga. My objective was to learn more about a proof-of-concept aimed at enabling an icebreaker vessel with 5G connectivity.Port operations are a frequently cited use case for 5G, which makes sense given the complexity of operations in the movement of vessels and tracking of cargo containers, as well as the need to provide connectivity over expanses of open water to ensure safe and efficient operations. However, what is intriguing about this use case is that LMT is providing the spectrum, infrastructure and integration to enable a ship-to-ship hop architecture that can facilitate a cellular mesh network in the middle of an ocean in the absence of traditional backhaul and radio access networks.The icebreaker vessel demonstration highlighted a fully self-contained private 5G networka small rack that incorporates core routing functionality, a massive MIMO antenna array and a console to manage functionality. In the future, plans include reducing the rack footprint and power requirements, ruggedizing the enclosure and enhancing the management interface to simplify operations. From my perspective, its an innovative proof-of-concept that can transform maritime communications as well as modernize on-ship functionality through Voice over 5G New Radio communications, aquatic and aerial drone operational control and more.MORE FOR YOUKeynote And Breakout Session ThemesAs in years past, this years 5G Techritory event spanned two days and was filled with keynote presentations, breakout sessions and developer workshops. From my perspective, five themes emerged from the conference:Non-terrestrial networks NTNs, including geosynchronous and low earth orbit satellite constellations, are increasingly being considered as a complement to terrestrial 5G networks to provide connectivity in rural and remote areas. Discussions at the event highlighted NTNs role in enhancing road safety and mobility, enabling continuous connectivity for autonomous vehicles and supporting cross-border data transfer for logistics.Industry and policy alignment The conference highlighted the significance of cooperation among industry stakeholders, regulatory bodies and the public sector in establishing standards and policies that promote innovation while guaranteeing security and fairness in deploying 5G, next-generation AI frameworks and more. I believe that this alignment is crucial for driving scale and fostering global innovation.5G use cases and innovation Participants shared various use cases that demonstrated the power of 5Gs low latency, high throughput, massive device support and enhanced encryption. Applications included smart city deployments, remote healthcare and industrial automation, among many others.Sustainability and infrastructure development In response to increased digital demand, there was a strong focus at the conference on building energy-efficient 5G infrastructure and sustainable networks. To no ones surprise, this included discussions about flexible systems such as Open RAN that allow for cost-effective and adaptable network management.The future of 6G and beyond While 5G remains a primary focus, likely for the next five years, discussions at the event centered on the early-stage vision for 6G, exploring how future networks could further support AI-driven applications, ultra-high bandwidth requirements and the additional sustainability considerations raised by power-hungry generative AI workloads.Panel Discussion HighlightsI had the privilege of leading two panel discussions at 5G Techritory and would like to share insights from one that discussed how NTNs could possibly revolutionize road connectivity by filling in gaps in traditional 5G terrestrial networks. Autonomous navigation has huge potential to mitigate traffic congestion and improve driver safety, as evidenced by early demonstrations from Tesla and others, but it is highly dependent on consistent and reliable connectivity. During our discussion, my fellow panelists and I debated how NTNs could be used to provide continuous backhaul coverage along highways and rural roadways, and in other remote areas where traditional network tower deployments are not feasible based on cost and population density.We also discussed opportunities to support V2X, which enables vehicles to communicate with each other, to infrastructure and to other devices and sensors embedded in roadways. NTNs have the potential to enable vehicles to remain connected across vast distances, which is crucial for enhancing safety features, traffic management and autonomous driving capabilities. Our conclusion was unanimous: once LEO satellite constellations from the likes of AST SpaceMobile, Starlink and others are in production, they will play a pivotal role in revolutionizing driver safety and autonomous operation.Furthermore, NTNs offer the opportunity to facilitate cross-border connectivity, which is essential for seamless international transportation and logistics. During our discussion, we speculated that the European Space Agency and the 5G Automotive Association could collaborate to ensure connectivity across borders without disruptions, which is a key need for freight transport and long-haul logistics, especially in the EU. NTNs can bridge the gaps where terrestrial networks vary or are less reliable, making cross-border logistics smoother and more operationally efficient. These developments underscore the ongoing collaboration between satellite and terrestrial providers to shape a robust ecosystem for road mobility, enhancing both safety and efficiency in the connected transportation industry.Reaching Beyond Connectivity5G Techritory 2024 hit the mark in providing a stage for discussing the merits of bringing 5G and eventually 6G, NTNs, AI and mixed reality together to birth new use cases, foster global economic growth and accelerate innovation. I have seen the conference mature over the last several years, outgrowing its singular connectivity roots.With that in mind, organizers announced at the conclusion of this years event a rebrand to simply Techritory. Its a wise move, in my opinion, one that sets up the event to explore new technologies and infrastructure stacks and in the process help foster innovation in Europe and the rest of the world.