Tag Archives: Digital Infrastructure

2025, 5G, Space Exploration

European Space-Based 5G Takes Flight: CTO and ESA Team Up for Low Earth Orbit Connectivity Revolution

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Imagine a world where high-speed 5G doesn’t stop at the end of a fibre line, but continues seamlessly across mountains, oceans, and rural blackspots—delivered straight from space. That’s the vision behind a new partnership between Constellation Technologies & Operations (CTO) and the European Space Agency (ESA), who are set to trial Europe’s first 5G mmWave payload in low Earth orbit.

The Mission: Making 5G Truly Universal

In an agreement signed this May at ESA HQ in Paris, CTO and ESA have announced a joint effort to launch a “regenerative” 5G payload aboard a satellite scheduled for June 2025. This Early Test represents Europe’s first real-world demonstration of a 5G infrastructure designed and built on the continent.

Unlike conventional satellite relays, this payload will process signals directly in orbit. The result? Reduced latency, increased efficiency, and seamless interoperability with ground-based 5G networks. Think of it as a space-based extension of mobile infrastructure.

Why This Matters

Space-based connectivity is currently dominated by American and Chinese ventures. CTO offers a credible European alternative: a neutral, shared, and independently operated satellite network that empowers telecom operators to extend their services without surrendering control or investing in expensive infrastructure.

The potential impact is enormous. This technology could bring fast, reliable internet to remote communities, disaster zones, and other underserved areas—complementing terrestrial networks and filling in the gaps where traditional infrastructure falls short.

How It Works

The test payload will operate using telecom operators’ 5G FR2 mmWave spectrum. CTO’s future constellation, planned for Very Low Earth Orbit (VLEO), is designed for high-speed, low-latency communication. Working with ESA’s ECSAT facility in Oxfordshire, this trial is a crucial step in proving Europe’s capability to lead in next-generation satellite communications.

CTO’s model allows telecom operators to leverage their existing 5G spectrum in space, offering a scalable solution that complements fibre and mobile networks without the need for ground-based towers in hard-to-reach areas.

What They Said

Charles Delfieux, CEO of CTO, commented: “This alliance with ESA reflects a shared ambition: to build a competitive European sovereignty in space connectivity, powered by bold technology designed and developed in Europe. We’re proving that it’s possible to compete on a global scale without compromise—giving telecom operators back control over their future in space.”

Laurent Jaffart, Director of Connectivity and Secure Communications at ESA, added: “This agreement aligns with ESA’s strategy to support the rise of innovative European players and jointly build resilient connectivity. The upcoming tests with CTO will pave the way for new hybrid use cases at the intersection of terrestrial and space networks.”

Images courtesy of ESA / CTO
Images courtesy of ESA / CTO

What’s Next

The satellite launch planned for June 2025 marks just the beginning. CTO and ESA are already collaborating on future in-orbit testing campaigns and knowledge sharing to maximise the impact of this project.

A European Vision, Global Potential

With its bold approach to hybrid connectivity, CTO aims to reshape the telecommunications landscape. This is more than just a technical trial—it’s a strategic move to establish European leadership in space-based internet services and offer a compelling global alternative to today’s dominant players.

Stay tuned to The Gadget Man as we follow this pioneering initiative. With space now firmly on the telecom agenda, the future of connectivity is looking skyward.

More Information:
www.constellation.global
www.esa.int

Images courtesy of ESA / CTO

2023, BBC Radio Hereford and Worcester, Broadband, Ultrafast Broadband Rollout

Gadget Man – Episode 175 – The Copper Switch Off: A Necessary Evil or a Step too Far?

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This morning, I had an enlightening discussion with Tammy Gooding on BBC Radio Hereford and Worcester regarding the ongoing broadband infrastructure enhancements, particularly in light of the Copper Switch-off as announced by Openreach. This move is all about transitioning from the traditional copper wire systems to a more robust and faster digital infrastructure, aiming to future-proof our towns and villages.

However, not everyone seems to be on board with this tech transition, as exemplified by the recent uproar in the picturesque Worcestershire village of Broadway. The crux of the matter unfurled as broadband poles started sprouting up, much to the dismay of the local populace. It seems Full Fibre, the provider spearheading this initiative, hit a nerve when their wooden poles, standing tall at up to 11 meters, started altering the village skyline.

The discontent among the residents morphed into a full-blown protest, with nearly 80 individuals rallying to halt the erection of these broadband poles in Avrill Close. The agitation escalated when a 75-year-old villager, David Owen, took a stance quite literally by spending more than four hours in one of the lorries brought in by the contractors.

This brings us to the question – is the infrastructural overhaul a necessary leap towards a digital future or an imposition disregarding the public sentiment? I tend to lean towards the necessity of upgrading our digital infrastructure, especially when the world is rapidly shifting towards a more connected existence. The Copper Switch off, as discussed on Openreach’s blog post, is a significant stride towards ensuring that the UK’s telecommunications infrastructure is not left in the digital dust.

The saga in Broadway sheds light on the teething issues that such infrastructural transitions entail. On one side, we have Full Fibre asserting their commitment to addressing concerns and emphasizing the critical nature of their work in upgrading the UK’s digital skeleton. On the flip side, the residents feel slighted, their concerns seemingly brushed under the rug, as they see these poles as nothing more than “ugly eyesores” marring their beautiful village.

Lisa Kelly, a villager, encapsulated the general sentiment by stating that they already have satisfactory broadband speeds and do not see the need for these poles. The word “disenfranchised” was used, painting a picture of a community feeling left out of a decision that directly impacts them.

The episode also invited the presence of West Mercia Police officers to ensure the situation remained under control, illustrating the extent of discord between the advancement of digital infrastructure and public approval.

These infrastructural enhancements are a double-edged sword. They promise a digital leap but at the cost of unsettling the communal harmony, at least temporarily. The Broadway scenario is a microcosm of the broader dialogue between technological advancement and community consent.

The future is exciting, but the path there should be paved with understanding and cooperation.