Team members use Eutelsat Group’s satellites to connect

High-speed internet access that delivers video streaming, gaming, and virtual and augmented-reality content via satellites to people living and travelling in remote areas has come a step closer.

Researchers at the University of Surrey connected people via a constellation of satellites in low Earth orbit operated by European satellite company Eutelsat Group, formerly known as OneWeb. They demonstrated seamless switching between ground-based mobile devices using 5G connectivity and the satellite system with 5G quality of service. The tests were performed through the ESA Sunrise Partnership Project supported by the UK Space Agency.

Engineers tested high-speed video conferencing as well as gaming and simple web browsing with almost no delays or glitches, thanks to the low Earth orbit network of almost 600 satellites and the University of Surrey’s 6G/5G Innovation Centre testbed.