Terrestar Solutions Inc., a Canadian-headquartered and controlled mobile satellite operator, and BroadForward, a provider of signalling infrastructure, have announced that BroadForward’s 4G routing (DRA/DEA) and Diameter Firewall (DFW) are now live in Terrestar’s network. The deployment delivers secure, standards-based signalling that enables mobile and Internet of Things (IoT) traffic to be routed seamlessly between terrestrial and non-terrestrial networks. This marks BroadForward’s further expansion into the satellite communications domain, supporting signalling interoperability between Terrestar’s Non-Terrestrial Network (NTN) infrastructure and national mobile networks.
More than 75% of Canada’s landmass lacks terrestrial coverage
By routing signalling traffic between satellite and cellular domains, BroadForward’s platform allows Terrestar to extend coverage in both directions. This supports Terrestar’s broader objective of bringing mobile connectivity to rural and remote communities and enabling mobile and IoT devices to access satellite-based services. These services are already live for industrial and agricultural IoT, with consumer messaging and emergency alerts included in Terrestar’s direct-to-mobile roadmap.
This two-way capability builds on Terrestar’s expanding service footprint, including its Hybrid IoT platform (launched February 2026 as a domestically controlled hybrid satellite-cellular IoT service) and its 2025 partnership with Monogoto to deliver hybrid IoT connectivity nationwide.
“Terrestar’s goal is to deliver seamless, reliable mobile satellite connectivity throughout Canada,” said Serge Legris, the chief technology officer at Terrestar Solutions. “BroadForward’s routing infrastructure is the backbone of our signaling network. It manages our signaling traffic, enables seamless satellite cellular service continuity, and accelerates new service rollouts. Together, we’re delivering secure, dependable connectivity in places once considered unreachable.”
Satellite-to-cellular signalling bridges specialised satellite systems with billions of standard smartphones and IoT endpoints. For consumers, it extends two-way messaging and emergency services beyond cell-tower reach. For enterprises, it enables asset tracking and remote monitoring across logistics, agriculture, energy and other sectors. Reflecting this commercial potential, analyst firm SNS Insider forecasts the NTN market rising from $11 billion in 2023 to nearly $117 billion by 2032 (CAGR of about 42%).
At the core of the deployment is BroadForward’s BFX Unified Signalling Core (USC) – the multi-protocol engine powering BroadForward’s routing, interworking and security portfolio, including STP, DRA/DEA, SCP, SEPP and firewall functions across 2G/3G, 4G and 5G. This unified engine gives Terrestar a single platform for both satellite and terrestrial signalling as it evolves from Diameter-based 4G interworking towards 5G Standalone and future direct-to-device NTN services.
BroadForward’s signalling products are deployed at more than 100 MNOs, MVNOs, IPX, NTN, MNP and IoT providers worldwide, including several global IPX providers.
“We’re proud Terrestar Solutions chose BroadForward to power their signaling connectivity,” said Taco Schoute the CEO of BroadForward. “The same multi-generational engine that secures terrestrial interconnect today, is now securing the satellite-to-cellular links that will define the next decade of coverage. It highlights BroadForward’s growing role in NTN interconnect signaling, linking satellite-based networks with terrestrial operators and roaming partners for full mobile coverage.”
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