BroadForward Delivers Secure Signaling For Terrestar’s Satellite Direct-to-Mobile Connectivity Across Canada

Secure DRA/DEA routing and Diameter Firewall are now live in Terrestar Solutions’ network, enabling seamless satellite-to-mobile connectivity and extending coverage for mobile and IoT services across rural and remote communities in Canada

By Godson Umejiego, Bureau Chief, The Americas

Canada’s only domestically headquartered and controlled mobile satellite operator, Terrestar Solutions Inc., and BroadForward, a global provider of signaling infrastructure, BroadForward 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 signaling 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 signaling interoperability between Terrestar’s Non-Terrestrial Network (NTN) infrastructure and national mobile networks.

More than 75 per cent of Canada’s landmass lacks terrestrial coverage. By routing signaling 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 Canada’s first 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 Chief Technology Officer, Terrestar Solutions Serge Legris. “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 signaling bridges specialized 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 USD 11B in 2023 to nearly USD 117B by 2032 (CAGR ~42%).

At the core of the deployment is BroadForward’s BFX Unified Signaling Core (USC) – the GSMA GLOMO Award-winning 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 signaling as it evolves from Diameter‑based 4G interworking toward 5G Standalone and future direct‑to‑device NTN services.

BroadForward’s signaling products are deployed at 100+ MNOs, MVNOs, IPX, NTN, MNP, and IoT providers worldwide, including multiple leading global IPX providers.

“We’re proud Terrestar Solutions chose BroadForward to power their signaling connectivity,” said CEO of BroadForward Taco Schoute. “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.”