As the ETHER project reached its conclusion, its Final Showcase webinar on 24 March 2026 marked the transition from research vision to experimentally validated 6G capabilities. Bringing together over 80 stakeholder participants from across the telecommunications, satellite, and research communities, the event presented how integrated terrestrial and non-terrestrial networks can operate as a unified system, delivering seamless, reliable, and scalable connectivity across diverse environments.
At the foundation of these demonstrations lies ETHER’s concept of a sustainable 3D network architecture, where terrestrial, aerial, and satellite infrastructures are combined into a single, coordinated system. Supported by distributed orchestration and intelligent control mechanisms, this approach enables dynamic resource management across heterogeneous domains, addressing key 6G challenges related to coverage, mobility, and energy efficiency. Rather than remaining at the architectural level, however, the Final Showcase focused on how these capabilities translate into concrete services through three validated use cases.
Seamless vertical handovers across terrestrial and satellite networks
A key highlight of the webinar was the live demonstration of vertical handovers enabling uninterrupted connectivity between terrestrial and satellite networks, presented by Konstantinos Ntontin from the University of Luxembourg. Using a unified 3GPP-compliant interface, the system performed real-time transitions between a terrestrial 5G gNB and a LEO satellite-based gNB, coordinated via a centralised control unit.
The demonstration incorporated a hardware-in-the-loop setup simulating realistic satellite conditions, including high Doppler effects and fluctuating link quality. It confirmed that session continuity can be maintained across network layers, enabling direct-to-device communication without specialised satellite terminals. This capability is a critical enabler for extending coverage beyond terrestrial limits while preserving user experience.
Extending IoT connectivity through store-and-forward satellite communications
The second use case addressed connectivity in environments where continuous network access cannot be guaranteed. Presented by i2CAT’s Timo Kellermann, ETHER demonstrated a store-and-forward communication model over LEO satellites, allowing IoT devices to buffer and transmit data opportunistically when connectivity becomes available.
This approach enables reliable data delivery in remote or infrastructure-scarce regions while optimising energy consumption, an essential factor for large-scale IoT deployments. The demonstration highlighted how integrated TN–NTN systems can support applications such as environmental monitoring, agriculture, and remote asset management, effectively expanding the operational reach of IoT services.
Supporting safety-critical airspace operations
The third demonstration, presented by Hamada Alshaer (Collins Aerospace) and Godfrey Kibalya (Nearby Computing) focused on safety-critical communications for aerial platforms, where uninterrupted and reliable connectivity is essential. ETHER showcased how coordinated use of terrestrial and satellite resources can maintain stable communication links in highly dynamic environments.
By adapting to changing network conditions in real time, the system ensured service continuity across heterogeneous segments, addressing the stringent requirements of applications such as unmanned aerial systems and advanced air mobility. This use case underscores the role of integrated 6G networks as a backbone for mission-critical operations beyond traditional ground-based services.
From research to validated 6G capabilities
The Final Showcase demonstrated how ETHER’s technical foundations, namely its integrated 3D architecture and orchestration mechanisms, translate into practical, real-world capabilities. By combining software-defined networking, hardware-based validation, and system-level integration, the project provides concrete evidence that seamless multi-layer connectivity, delay-tolerant IoT services, and safety-critical communications can be realised within a unified 6G framework.
As the project concludes, these results contribute to ongoing efforts within the global 6G ecosystem, including standardisation activities led by organisations such as 3GPP, and offer a clear indication of how future networks will extend beyond terrestrial boundaries to deliver truly ubiquitous connectivity.
Press release: ETHER project sets a new benchmark for sustainable 6G coverage
Also read our final press release marking the conclusion of the ETHER project