GSMA and ESA partnership will help develop new satellite and terrestrial network technologies that allow for better integration with 5G and 6G systems
The GSMA and the European Space Agency (ESA) have signed a Memorandum of Intent (MOI) that outlines plans to jointly develop new satellite and terrestrial network technologies that allow for better integration with 5G and 6G systems. By increasing market competition within the mobile and satellite network industries, the parties hope to speed up the development of non-terrestrial technologies.
The GSMA Foundry innovation accelerator is at the center of this partnership. The Foundry facilitates cross-industry collaboration and business development to advance the mobile communication field. Per the new collaboration, the GSMA Foundry will work with ESA’s 5G/6G Hub, which is located at the Agency’s European Centre for Space Applications and Telecommunications (ECSAT) in Oxfordshire and brings together the satellite industry to collaborate on new programs.
“From our 5G/6G Hub, we are fostering industry partnerships to advance the 5G digital transformation of society and industry,” commented Antonio Franchi, head of the ESA’s Space for 5G and 6G Strategic Programme, adding that the agency looks forward to uncovering “the huge potential of next-generation satellite-enabled connectivity” in partnership with the GSMA.
Conversations around the integration of non-terrestrial and terrestrial cellular technology have been heating up over the past few years, with some analysts suggesting that satellite service might be “the next step” for the wireless industry. For example, in the U.S., T-Mobile US and SpaceX’s satellite broadband company Starlink announced last year that Starlink will use T-Mobile mid-band spectrum to deliver ubiquitous satellite-based text messaging capabilities for T-Mobile customers. And in May, the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) proposed a new regulatory framework to support collaborations between satellite and wireless terrestrial network operators, an aim not too different than the one outlined here by the GSMA and ESA.
Further, recent research published by the GSMA predicts that the increased adoption and integration of satellite technologies by the communications industry could lead to potential revenue gains of $35 billion by 2035.
“By collaborating more closely with the European Space Agency, and its satellite network operator ecosystem, we hope to accelerate the immense potential satellite and terrestrial telecommunications networks can create for consumers and businesses when they are more closely connected,” said Alex Sinclair, chief technology officer at the GSMA. “By working together, we can help the communications industry bring innovative solutions to market, which in turn will create tremendous benefits to society by connecting even more people, wherever they are in the world.”
