The plan is for a fully integrated 5G non-terrestrial network, designed and built in France. It will be combining VLEO (very low Earth orbit) satellites with terrestrial infrastructure.
CNES (Centre National d’Etudes Spatiales) is the state agency responsible for proposing French space policy to the Government and implementing it in Europe.
Funding
The two French organisations say it is a “major milestone” towards deploying a hybrid and “sovereign” connectivity through satellite-based 5G technology.
As well as the €31 million in funding, the contract involves an additional €31 million of financing from UNIVITY, too.
“Thanks to France 2030 funding, CNES is supporting UNIVITY in preparing, through the in-orbit demonstration ‘uniShape’, a satellite-based 5G-NTN service designed to meet the needs of terrestrial operators,” said Caroline Laurent, Director of Orbital Systems and Applications, CNES.
“UNIVITY’s ‘uniSky’ constellation aims to deliver a distinctive French solution for high-speed space-based 5G-NTN connectivity, serving both consumer and professional users, built on innovative concepts and breakthrough technologies.”
France 2030
The work is under the aegis of France 2030. This is a state-sponsored multi-billion national investment plan, dating from 2021.
It aims to position France as a leader in a number of sectors. Nuclear, digital and transport technology, for example. It also includes supporting the decarbonization of industries.
UNIVITY
UNIVITY, a Paris-based startup, highlighted the strategic importance of the 5G project. Véronique Bonnet, Program Director at UNIVITY, said:
“We are proud to have the support of France 2030 for this project. [It] represents a true strategic milestone for us. This recognition validates both our expertise and our vision of converging terrestrial and space networks.”
The company was formerly known as Constellation Technologies & Operations.
Image: UNIVITY/CNES – Charles Delfieux, CEO and President of UNIVITY left. He is signing the contract with Christelle Boustie, Deputy Director of Telecommunications and Navigation at CNES.
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