Diversity and inclusion
ESA
An ambitious new development phase for ESA’s 5G/6G hub has begun.
The agency is expanding the facility’s satellite-enabled communications technology and seeking new collaborations with industry as part of its efforts to accelerate the 5G digital transformation of the European economy.
ESA has selected CGI, an information technology company to lead the expansion project with support from the UK Space Agency.
The project consortium includes satellite operators Eutelsat and OneWeb, and mobile network operator Vodafone.
As the world becomes more connected than ever, the next generations of 5G and 6G promise to power a new wave of digital technologies and services that will change the way people live, work and communicate.
The integration of communications infrastructure on the ground and in space is essential to ensure continuous and instant ubiquitous connectivity.
The 5G/6G hub, which opened in February 2022, will be located at ESA’s European Space Application Telecommunications Center (ECSAT) at Harwell Campus, UK, and will enable companies to explore and realize the enormous potential of these converged networks. I can.
It currently consists of demonstration rooms, technical labs for application and service testing, and a private high-capacity integrated network covering these spaces.
Over the past year, ESA and its collaborators have already used the hub to complete numerous integration and demonstration tests aimed at developing new 5G solutions.
The expansion project builds on this success by adding new features identified through consultation with key experts.
This includes expanding the dedicated network of hubs to cover ECSAT perimeter, developing enhanced satellite services, edge computing, multi-network and multi-orbital orchestration, and usability enhancements. .
The project team also plans to incorporate environmental impact analysis and recommendations into the hub’s architecture.
A dedicated outreach program facilitates engagement with established telecommunications and space companies as well as those just entering the industry.
ESA will announce several new opportunities for collaboration in the coming months.
Antonio Franchi, Head of 5G/6G Program at ESA, said:
“Collaboration is key to telecommunications innovation and this project will strengthen the Hub’s position as a central point for establishing new partnerships both within Europe and globally.”
Craig Brown, Investment Director, UK Space Agency, said: facilities to support further growth in this thriving sector.
“The UK Space Agency’s investment in the next phase of hub development will showcase UK companies at the forefront of emerging space technologies, encourage investment in this space and facilitate collaboration with international partners looking to develop their own 5G capabilities. Helps strengthen cooperation.
“We look forward to following the next steps led by CGI as this project comes to fruition.”
CGI UK and Australia President Tara McGeehan said: CGI is committed to helping telecom industry clients integrate satellite technology into their networks to provide better and greener services to their customers.
“This hub will demonstrate and accelerate how satellite communications can help society benefit from easily accessible, resilient communications anywhere in the world.”
Nick Gliddon, UK Business Director at Vodafone, said: Validating interoperability between his 5G network on Earth and satellite networks in space opens up exciting new possibilities for connectivity around the world. ”
