I have traveled internationally quite a bit recently, including attending the World Satellite Connectivity Summit in Prague. I have been struck by how much the subject of network interoperability has permeated all segments of the communications industry, at all levels and all around the world. I’ve met with many groups—Australian startups, European government agencies, North American uniformed services, global carriers and many others—and it is on everybody’s mind. It’s clear we’re on the verge of major enhancements, though there is still groundwork to be laid before the vision becomes reality.

One of the speakers at the Prague event, Konstantinos Chalkiotis of Deutsche Telekom, had it right, I think. With 5G and B5G (Beyond 5G) we’re starting the integration of satellite and terrestrial networks; with 6G we begin the move to the unification of all IP transport methods.

The satellite world is changing, becoming part of the worldwide telecom industry, rather than a separate stovepipe for special cases. Achieving this will mean more reliance on digital infrastructure, which in turn requires the adoption of standards. Globally.

I looked up the numbers when I got home from Prague, and was pleased to see that just shy of half, 40% of DIFI members today are organizations from outside the U.S. And the number is growing.

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