Regulatory and spectrum policy challenges for combined airspace and non-terrestrial networks

The recent advancements in the aviation and space industries facilitate new types of users in the sky, e.g., electrical vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft. To unlock the full potential of these innovations, it is crucial to create interconnected three-dimensional networks that integrate airspace and non-terrestrial networks (NTNs) with their terrestrial counterparts, also known as Combined Airspace and Non-Terrestrial Networks (ASN). Combined ASN needs a flexible and adaptive network architecture with multiple, and partly converging technologies, such as air-to-ground, satellite, and high-altitude platforms, with a focus to cover both ground and aerial users. In addition to technical challenges, spectrum policy and regulatory aspects will affect the wireless network design and management schemes in three-dimensional space. Hence, this paper introduces regulatory and spectrum policy challenges posed by the development of combined ASN. This paper investigates a hypothetical urban air mobility use case with an eVTOL aircraft that operates as a flying taxi. •Use flying taxi to identify policy and regulatory challenges.•NRAs should collaborate with aviation, and space industries.•The institutional structure should be assessed to facilitate 3D-networks.•Spectrum sharing is needed and require compromises and collaboration.•A mix of regulations could stimulate innovation and bridge sector barriers.