LG highlights innovative IoT-NTN solutions at 5GAA event in Paris

• The company demonstrated real-time, uninterrupted voice communication between terrestrial and non-terrestrial networks.
• The technology enhances safety and response time during critical incidents.
• LG created TN and NTN zones in Paris to showcase this capability.

During the 5G Automotive Association (5GAA) conference in Paris, France, held from May 12 to 15, LG Electronics unveiled its advanced IoT-NTN technology. The company demonstrated real-time, uninterrupted voice communication between terrestrial and non-terrestrial networks, marking a milestone for future automotive connectivity.

At the heart of LG’s presentation, the company conducted a live demonstration across the streets of Paris using a test vehicle equipped with next-generation Telematics Control Units (TCUs) powered by IoT-NTN technology. The highlight featured a successful conversation-level voice communication session, as the vehicle seamlessly switched between terrestrial networks (TN) and non-terrestrial networks (NTN), marking a first in real-world mobility trials.

IoT-NTN technology merges satellite communications with high-altitude platform stations to provide uninterrupted connectivity, even in regions where terrestrial networks (3G, 4G, or 5G) are unavailable. This innovation plays a vital role in enabling functions such as autonomous driving, vehicle tracking, remote operation, and emergency communications in challenging environments, ranging from remote deserts and oceans to mountainous terrains and disaster zones.

In a major breakthrough, LG integrates AI-based voice compression into its IoT-NTN system, drastically reducing the size of voice messages. This innovation overcomes previous satellite communication limitations, which largely restricted transmissions to basic text-based emergency messages. With this enhancement, the system now supports full two-way voice conversations and transmits voice messages more than ten times faster than before.

This technology allows users to press an emergency call button and describe their situation via voice without typing or navigating multiple steps, enhancing safety and response time during critical incidents.

To showcase this capability, LG created both TN and NTN zones in Paris and enabled visitors to send and receive voice messages between the two networks using an in-vehicle demo setup. LG supports this seamless communication with a new cloud-based service platform that bridges satellite and terrestrial networks, delivering an elevated and reliable user experience powered by IoT-NTN technology.