There was a time when atmospheric options such as balloons and drones dominated NTN (non-terrestrial network) trials and developments, but it is now nearly all about satellite, mostly emerging LEO constellations. That may partly reflect earlier failure of stratospheric trials, such as Google’s infamous Project Loon. But it is also down to the fact that LEO is now increasingly available as a viable option providing global coverage for IoT services, filling in gaps in mainstream mobile services for sparsely populated areas, or for backhaul. Wireless Watch recently reported on the wave of LEO launches increasing global satellite coverage for IoT. There is still some interest in balloons and drones for provision of temporary mobile connectivity coverage for music festivals or…