“Non-terrestrial networks are not just extending the reach of Canada’s utility infrastructure—they’re transforming how we manage and sustain resources, connecting even the most remote communities to the future of smart energy and water management.” – MJ Martin
Non-terrestrial networks (NTNs) refer to communication systems that utilize space-based or airborne platforms, such as satellites or high-altitude platforms, to provide connectivity. These networks are crucial in extending coverage to remote, rural, or underserved areas where traditional terrestrial infrastructure, like fibre-optic cables or cellular towers, is impractical or too costly to deploy. NTNs often work in conjunction with terrestrial networks, creating a hybrid communication ecosystem. For instance, satellite networks can act as backhaul for terrestrial cellular networks, ensuring connectivity in areas with limited infrastructure or during natural disasters when ground-based systems are compromised.
Cellular networks, typically based on ground towers and infrastructure, offer widespread, high-speed connectivity in urban and suburban areas, but can face limitations in remote regions. Integrating NTNs allows cellular networks to maintain consistent service across broader regions, especially with the development of Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite constellations that reduce latency and improve data speeds.
Similarly, technologies like LoRa (Long Range), known for low-power, wide-area networking suited to IoT applications, can benefit from NTN integration. By connecting LoRa gateways to satellite links, IoT devices can maintain functionality in isolated or hard-to-reach environments, such as maritime or agricultural regions, where terrestrial connectivity is sparse.
This synergy between NTNs and terrestrial networks is key to building resilient, global communication infrastructures.
In Canada, satellite and cellular non-terrestrial network (NTN) solutions play a critical role in bridging the connectivity gap across the country’s vast, rugged, and often remote landscapes. Given Canada’s expansive geography and numerous sparsely populated regions, traditional terrestrial infrastructure like fibre-optic networks and cellular towers face significant logistical and economic challenges. Satellite networks, particularly with advancements in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) technology from providers like Telesat’s Lightspeed and SpaceX’s Starlink, are increasingly integrated to deliver high-speed, low-latency internet to northern and rural communities. These LEO constellations improve upon the high latency and limited bandwidth of traditional geostationary satellites, offering more reliable and faster connections that are essential for everything from healthcare and education to business operations in isolated regions.
Cellular NTNs are also evolving in Canada through partnerships between satellite providers and mobile network operators like Bell, Rogers, and Telus. These collaborations aim to extend cellular coverage beyond traditional terrestrial networks, especially in critical areas like the Arctic, maritime regions, and Indigenous communities. Satellite backhaul solutions are enabling 4G and 5G services in locations previously reliant on slower, less reliable communication methods. Additionally, the Canadian government has been investing in satellite-based solutions to ensure equitable access to broadband, as part of its Universal Broadband Fund initiative. This integration of satellite and cellular NTNs is not only enhancing connectivity, but also playing a vital role in emergency response, natural disaster recovery, and supporting the growing Internet of Things (IoT) ecosystem in industries such as agriculture, mining, and transportation across Canada’s diverse and challenging terrain.
In Canada, LoRa-based non-terrestrial networks (NTNs) are emerging as a transformative solution for connecting smart meters used in water, gas, and electricity utilities, particularly in rural and remote areas where traditional connectivity infrastructure is limited or non-existent. LoRa technology, known for its low power consumption and long-range communication capabilities, is ideal for transmitting small amounts of data from smart meters across vast distances. When integrated with satellite networks, LoRa NTN solutions enable utilities to maintain reliable, real-time monitoring and data collection from meters located in remote communities, isolated industrial sites, and off-grid areas, where cellular or fiber-optic networks are either unavailable or cost-prohibitive.
In urban and suburban areas, where terrestrial networks are more robust, LoRa networks, and other utility grade networks like those offered by Itron and others, complement existing infrastructure by offering cost-effective, scalable solutions for dense smart metering deployments, reducing the need for complex wiring and enhancing the efficiency of utility operations.
In contrast, for rural and remote Canadian regions, particularly in the northern territories and Indigenous communities, LoRa NTN solutions ensure that utilities can remotely manage and monitor resource consumption, detect leaks or outages, and optimize energy distribution without the need for physical site visits. This not only enhances service reliability, but also reduces operational costs and environmental impact. As Canadian utilities continue to modernize their infrastructure, the integration of LoRa NTN technology plays a critical role in supporting the country’s push toward smart grid development and sustainable resource management across diverse geographic landscapes.
About the Author:
Michael Martin is the Vice President of Technology with Metercor Inc., a Smart Meter, IoT, and Smart City systems integrator based in Canada. He has more than 40 years of experience in systems design for applications that use broadband networks, optical fibre, wireless, and digital communications technologies. He is a business and technology consultant. He was a senior executive consultant for 15 years with IBM, where he worked in the GBS Global Center of Competency for Energy and Utilities and the GTS Global Center of Excellence for Energy and Utilities. He is a founding partner and President of MICAN Communications and before that was President of Comlink Systems Limited and Ensat Broadcast Services, Inc., both divisions of Cygnal Technologies Corporation (CYN: TSX).
Martin served on the Board of Directors for TeraGo Inc (TGO: TSX) and on the Board of Directors for Avante Logixx Inc. (XX: TSX.V). He has served as a Member, SCC ISO-IEC JTC 1/SC-41 – Internet of Things and related technologies, ISO – International Organization for Standardization, and as a member of the NIST SP 500-325 Fog Computing Conceptual Model, National Institute of Standards and Technology. He served on the Board of Governors of the University of Ontario Institute of Technology (UOIT) [now Ontario Tech University] and on the Board of Advisers of five different Colleges in Ontario – Centennial College, Humber College, George Brown College, Durham College, Ryerson Polytechnic University [now Toronto Metropolitan University]. For 16 years he served on the Board of the Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers (SMPTE), Toronto Section.
He holds three master’s degrees, in business (MBA), communication (MA), and education (MEd). As well, he has three undergraduate diplomas and seven certifications in business, computer programming, internetworking, project management, media, photography, and communication technology. He has completed over 50 next generation MOOC (Massive Open Online Courses) continuous education in a wide variety of topics, including: Economics, Python Programming, Internet of Things, Cloud, Artificial Intelligence and Cognitive systems, Blockchain, Agile, Big Data, Design Thinking, Security, Indigenous Canada awareness, and more.