Integration of terrestrial and nonterrestrial networks for extending connectivity in rural remote areas

The integration of terrestrial networks (TN) and nonterrestrial networks (NTN) is an emerging solution for extending broadband connectivity to remote and rural areas, where traditional infrastructure deployment is economically and technically challenging. This chapter explores various use cases demonstrating the potential of TN-NTN integration to bridge the digital divide and to support new services in agriculture, livestock, and forest operations. Satellite backhauling is presented in several scenarios as an enabler to extend coverage and provide global connectivity in remote fields, farms, forests, and roads. In other scenarios, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are deployed to temporarily extend the coverage, allowing broadband network penetration in dense forests, or massive connectivity of IoT devices in large agricultural fields. From the architecture design, to deployment challenges, and ongoing standardization initiatives, this paper highlights the feasibility of an integrated TN-NTN network as a cornerstone of beyond 5G and future 6G.