In collaboration with the International institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), the Communication, Space, and Technology Commission awarded the winners of the Competition on Non-Terrestrial Networks for B5G and 6G, which aims to support research and innovation in the future telecom networks field. The competition consisted of 28 submitted papers by more than 100 researchers and academics from 34 universities, representing 17 countries. The "Multi-Mode High Altitude Platform Station (HAPS) for Future Wireless Networks" ranked first, submitted by 4 researchers from Saudi Arabia and Canada, the "Toward Equitable 6G Access Service via Cloud-Enabled High-Altitude Platform Systems" ranked second, submitted by 4 researchers from Saudi Arabia, while the third place was for the "Uncrewed Aerial Vehicles Communications in Integrated Terrestrial and Non-Terrestrial Networks", submitted by 3 researchers from Spain and France. The papers contained a study and analysis of i) innovative ways to provide broadband telecom services in challenging areas by integrating terrestrial and non-terrestrial networks, ii) development mechanism for high altitude platforms technology (HAPS) to include multiple operational solutions and communication services in order to reduce costs and enhance service quality, iii) an analytical framework design to provide telecom services via HAPS by cloud computing to meet the needs of future telecom services and adopt it in the near future. Through this competition, the Commission aims to find innovative solutions that enable non-terrestrial networks, which are expected to be the foundation of the 6G future communication services, contribute in economy growth and diversity, and improve the services to bridge the digital divide and provide ICT services to all.
