Open Lecture 11 “Non-Terrestrial Networks for 6G: Toward Seamless Network Convergence” – Event report

one6G Open Lecture 11 titled Non-Terrestrial Networks for 6G: Toward Seamless Network Convergence, took place on Thursday, January 22, 2026, bringing together top experts to explore one of the most transformative directions in future mobile communications.

The lecture addressed the growing role of non-terrestrial networks (NTNs) — including satellites, high-altitude platforms, and unmanned aerial vehicles — in enabling truly integrated 6G infrastructures. The session highlighted how the convergence of TN and NTN can deliver ubiquitous, resilient, and borderless connectivity, fulfilling the long-standing promise of mobile communications.

The event opened with welcome remarks by Malte Schellmann, Principal Research Engineer and Technology Manager at the Huawei Munich Research Center, who also moderated the session. The first technical presentation was delivered by Alessandro Vanelli-Coralli, Professor at the University of Bologna and ETH Zürich, who discussed Integrated TN/NTN Architectures in 6G: Opportunities and Challenges, outlining architectural visions and key technical hurdles toward full network convergence. Presentation in PDF available here.

The second talk, Sustainable NTNs through AI, ISAC and RIS, was presented by Symeon Chatzinotas, Professor at the University of Luxembourg. His presentation highlighted how artificial intelligence, integrated sensing and communications (ISAC), and reconfigurable intelligent surfaces (RIS) can enhance the efficiency, flexibility, and sustainability of future NTN. Presentation in PDF available here.

Next, Tomaso de Cola, Leader of the Integrated Satellite Systems (INS) Group at DLR, presented From Ground to Space and Back: the Next Frontier of Edge-Cloud Continuum. His talk explored the integration of satellite systems into the edge–cloud continuum, emphasizing the role of NTNs in enabling low-latency services and distributed intelligence across terrestrial and space domains.

The lecture concluded with a presentation by Miguel Ángel Vázquez Oliver, Head of the Space and Resilient Communications and Systems Research Unit at CTTC, titled Practical 6G-NTN: Hypes, Constraints, and Design Options. His talk provided a pragmatic perspective on real-world deployment challenges, design trade-offs, and feasibility considerations for future 6G NTN systems.

A lively Q&A session followed all presentations, allowing participants to engage directly with the speakers on technical, regulatory, and deployment-related questions. The discussion underscored both the vast potential and the complexity of achieving seamless TN–NTN integration in 6G.

Open Lecture 11 attracted nearly 270 attendees from across the world, demonstrating a strong global interest in NTN as a cornerstone of 6G and reinforcing the importance of continued interdisciplinary dialogue toward seamless network convergence.