Industry Track Panel Moderator – Opportunities and Challenges in Drones, HAPS and Non-terrestrial Networks

Abstract:

Technologies to provide cellular connectivity from High Altitude Platforms (HAPS) and Satellites are gaining momentum.  Especially, with significant reduction in cost of satellite launch, entry of big players like Amazon, Google, Facebook etc. to provide connectivity from higher altitude are all very promising.  However, the technical challenges, spectrum regulatory and ecosystem-related issues to take the aerial connectivity services to commercial level remain. Ongoing 3GPP study item on Non-terrestrial Networks explore the possibilities of 5G networks to support cellular connectivity from aerial platforms.  In this panel session, we will look at the opportunities and technical challenges for the non-terrestrial connectivity.  Providing cellular connectivity to drone as a terminal will also be briefly discussed.

Biography:

Siva Subramani is a Senior Standards Expert with Futurewei Technologies.  He is actively involved in 3GPP RAN standardization, particularly on 5G physical layer developments, LTE / LTE-A enhancements and features. He was with Vodafone Group as a Standards Strategy Manager with responsibility for Radio Access Network (RAN) standardization in 3GPP and developing features related to vertical industry. He was the rapporteur of NB-IoT and instrumental for NB-IoT technology delivery from innovation to commercialization. He also contributed to design scoping of cellular vehicular communication (V2V and V2X) in LTE and NR.  He is a Senior Member of IEEE. He holds a Ph.D. in Electrical and Electronics Engineering from the University of Bristol, UK.