ESA 5G/6G Hub spurs industry innovation

The ESA 5G/6G Hub – based at the agency’s European Centre for Space Applications and Telecommunications (ECSAT) in the UK – enables industry to take advantage of the seamless, ubiquitous and resilient connectivity delivered by integrated satellite and terrestrial networks.

After completing the first development phase of its next-generation facilities – which include high-capacity converged networks, a demonstration room and a technical lab for application and service testing – ESA has opened the Hub to businesses from key areas of the European economy, including energy, healthcare and transport.

The launch was announced as part of an ESA webinar that took place this week.

The facility fosters innovation by welcoming new and established innovators from across the 5G ecosystem – such as satellite and terrestrial network operators, equipment providers, application developers, the public sector and academia – to create the telecommunications solutions of the future.

Driven by the emergence of 5G connectivity, the global economy is undergoing a digital transformation that is changing how people live, work and communicate, as well as enabling innovative technologies across society, including remote healthcare applications, smart energy grids and autonomous transport systems.  

ESA is accelerating this transition by working with its industrial partners to augment existing terrestrial infrastructure with satellite networks, ensuring continuous, resilient and ubiquitous connectivity.

The Hub – developed by information technology company CGI with the support of the UK Space Agency – is a key part of these activities, serving as an enabler of 5G innovation in ESA’s member states and beyond.

Initially focusing on 5G, the Hub will support the emergence of 6G over the next decade, which is set to deliver further improvements to capacity and coverage.

As part of its new development phase, ESA is working to further enhance the Hub’s technologies and continuing its efforts to connect the facility to other 5G research hubs in Europe and across the world.

Elodie Viau, ESA’s Director of Telecommunications and Integrated Applications and Head of ESA’s ECSAT site, said: “The 5G digital transformation is underway – and ESA is working closely with its industrial partners to accelerate this transition by promoting the development of converged telecommunications networks.

“The 5G/6G Hub is a focal point for these efforts and we look forward to giving European businesses the opportunity to test and develop applications in a future 5G environment.”

The Hub is being backed by over £3 million of UK government investment.

Harshbir Sangha, Director of Growth at the UK Space Agency, said: “Space is playing an increasingly important role in our everyday lives and satellite communications is a key part of keeping us connected. 

“This new state-of-the-art facility backed by government funding will enable researchers and engineers to test the benefits of hybrid 5G and satellite communications networks which will create exciting new business opportunities across the UK, from healthcare to driverless vehicles.”

For more information about the 5G/6G Hub, please contact: 5G@esa.int