The 6G and beyond networks are expected to adopt an integrated terrestrial and non-terrestrial network (NTN) architecture which will arguably be the most important differentiator of 6G from the first five generations. The NTN expression has been used to refer to almost exclusively the SatCom paradigm until recently. It is now increasingly acknowledged that within NTN, there are separate space (satellite) and near-space (HAPS: high altitude platform station) paradigms with their own special dynamics. The NTN paradigm is not only for connectivity; it also includes computing, edge intelligence, surveillance, security, sensing, monitoring, positioning, localization, navigation, and even more. The humanity will demonstrate its full potential in every dimension (economic prosperity, wellbeing, equal opportunity, environmental, and more), when the communities get ultra-connected with a sustainable, reliable, resilient, intelligent, green/clean/eco-friendly, secure, ubiquitous & affordable, and ultra high-speed "network of networks" with terrestrial (6G and beyond) and non-terrestrial (space and near-space) components. NTN will arguably be one of the most prominent aspects of 6G. This discussion will continue throughout the 2030s as well in the beyond-6G era – exciting times indeed...

Dr. Halim Yanıkömeroğlu is a Chancellor’s Professor at Carleton University, Canada, and the Founding Director of Carleton-NTN (Non-Terrestrial Networks) Lab. He is among the handful of academics recognized for substantial and impactful contributions in all three layers of NTN: aerial (UAVs), near-space (high altitude platform stations, HAPS), and space (satellites) networks. He has been among the champions of the UAV base station concept. He coauthored the highest number of papers in literature in HAPS networks. Dr. Yanikomeroglu has led several large-scale and high-profile collaborative research projects with industry (Canadian and international), the Government of Canada agencies, as well as the academic institutions and research centres around the world. His extensive collaboration with industry has resulted in 42 granted patents (most of his IP have been successfully transferred to industry). He has coauthored a high number of papers in 33 different IEEE journals. He gives around 25 invited seminars, keynotes, panel talks, and tutorials every year. He supervised or hosted in his lab 180 postgraduate researchers. Dr. Yanikomeroglu is a Fellow of several scholarly societies, including IEEE, the Engineering Institute of Canada (EIC), the Canadian Academy of Engineering (CAE), and the Asia-Pacific Artificial Intelligence Association (AAIA); he served as a Distinguished Speaker for the IEEE Communications Society and the IEEE Vehicular Technology Society. He served as the General Chair, Technical Program Chair, and Steering Committee Chair/Member of several major international IEEE conferences as well as in the editorial boards of several IEEE periodicals. He is currently serving in various governance and leadership roles in the IEEE. Dr. Yanikomeroglu received several awards for his research, teaching, and service. He holds a BSc degree in electrical and electronics engineering from the Middle East Technical University (Türkiye), and MASc and PhD degrees in electrical and computer engineering from the University of Toronto (Canada).