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Regulatory and spectrum policy challenges for combined airspace and non-terrestrial networks

Author

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  • Mölleryd, Bengt
  • Ozger, Mustafa
  • Westring, Morgan
  • Nordlöw, Anders
  • Schupke, Dominic
  • Engström, Ulrika
  • Cavdar, Cicek
  • Lindborg, Michael
  • Sciammetta, Nunzio

Abstract

The recent advancements in the aviation and space industries facilitate new types of users in the sky, e.g., electrical vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft. To unlock the full potential of these innovations, it is crucial to create interconnected three-dimensional networks that integrate airspace and non-terrestrial networks (NTNs) with their terrestrial counterparts, also known as Combined Airspace and Non-Terrestrial Networks (ASN). Combined ASN needs a flexible and adaptive network architecture with multiple, and partly converging technologies, such as air-to-ground, satellite, and high-altitude platforms, with a focus to cover both ground and aerial users. In addition to technical challenges, spectrum policy and regulatory aspects will affect the wireless network design and management schemes in three-dimensional space. Hence, this paper introduces regulatory and spectrum policy challenges posed by the development of combined ASN. This paper investigates a hypothetical urban air mobility use case with an eVTOL aircraft that operates as a flying taxi.

Suggested Citation

  • Mölleryd, Bengt & Ozger, Mustafa & Westring, Morgan & Nordlöw, Anders & Schupke, Dominic & Engström, Ulrika & Cavdar, Cicek & Lindborg, Michael & Sciammetta, Nunzio, 2025. "Regulatory and spectrum policy challenges for combined airspace and non-terrestrial networks," Telecommunications Policy, Elsevier, vol. 49(1).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:telpol:v:49:y:2025:i:1:s0308596124001721
    DOI: 10.1016/j.telpol.2024.102875
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Georg Serentschy & Paul Timmers & Marja Matinmikko-Blue, 2024. "Toward Anticipatory Regulation and Beyond," Springer Books, in: Petri Ahokangas & Annabeth Aagaard (ed.), The Changing World of Mobile Communications, chapter 0, pages 221-251, Springer.
    2. Schott, Lennart & Schaefer, Kerstin J., 2023. "Acceptance of Chinese latecomers' technological contributions in international ICT standardization — The role of origin, experience and collaboration," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 52(1).
    3. Schott, Lennart & Schaefer, Kerstin, 2023. "Acceptance of Chinese latecomers' technological contributions in international ICT standardization — the role of origin, experience and collaboration," LSE Research Online Documents on Economics 116987, London School of Economics and Political Science, LSE Library.
    4. Paul Scalise & Matthew Boeding & Michael Hempel & Hamid Sharif & Joseph Delloiacovo & John Reed, 2024. "A Systematic Survey on 5G and 6G Security Considerations, Challenges, Trends, and Research Areas," Future Internet, MDPI, vol. 16(3), pages 1-38, February.
    5. Amitkumar V. Jha & Bhargav Appasani & Mohammad S. Khan & Sherali Zeadally & Iyad Katib, 2024. "6G for intelligent transportation systems: standards, technologies, and challenges," Telecommunication Systems: Modelling, Analysis, Design and Management, Springer, vol. 86(2), pages 241-268, June.
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