Ibadan, 14 July 2023. – The GSMA and European Space Agency (ESA) have signed a Memorandum of Intent (MOI) to bring the mobile and satellite industries closer together to collaborate on developing new, innovative satellite and terrestrial network technologies. The partnership aims to further strengthen both mobile and satellite network industries by creating an ecosystem that can fast-track the development of new complementary technology solutions for businesses and consumers. As a result, the two organizations will join efforts to speed up innovation when it comes to integrating satellite communications with 5G and future 6G networks.
GSMA’s Foundry innovation accelerator will play a critical role in the collaboration. This is as the accelerator brings together the mobile network operator community and the wider technology industry to accelerate cross-industry collaboration and advancements in mobile communication. As such, GSMA Foundry will work closely with ESA’s 5G/6G Hub, based at ESA’s European Centre for Space Applications and Telecommunications (ECSAT).
Speaking on the collaboration, Alex Sinclair, Chief Technology Officer at the GSMA, said: “By collaborating more closely with the European Space Agency, and its satellite network operator ecosystem, we hope to accelerate the immense potential satellite and terrestrial telecommunications networks can create for consumers and businesses when they are more closely together.” The CTO also added, “By working together, we can help the communications industry bring innovative solutions to market, which in turn will create tremendous benefits to society by connecting even more people, wherever they are in the world.”
Likewise, Antonio Franchi, Head of Space for 5G and 6G Strategic Programme, ESA, said: “Collaboration is key to telecommunications innovation and, from our 5G/6G Hub, we are fostering industry partnerships to advance the 5G digital transformation of society and industry.”
