Direct 5G connection via satellite: the new global connectivity

The European Space Agency (ESA), in collaboration with Telesat and Amarisoft, announced in an official note that it has completed a revolutionary step in the field of telecommunications, establishing the first direct 5G connection with a satellite in low earth orbit (LEO). This event marks the beginning of a new era for mobile connectivity, with the prospect of making satellite communications as accessible and simple as using a mobile phone.

This important milestone, as stated by ESA, opens the way to previously unthinkable possibilities. The combination of LEO satellites and 5G technology has the potential to transform emergency management in remote areas, provide medical care in rural areas and support industrial operations around the world.

Antonio Franchi, Head of ESA’s 5G/6G Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTN) Program Officewithin the Space for 5G/6G and Sustainable Connectivity programme, he declared:”We are proud to continue to drive European technological leadership and innovation in the Non-Terrestrial Networks sector. Tests like this demonstrate ESA’s role in supporting the development of innovative 5G and 6G systems that open up social and economic opportunities for people and businesses. This initiative celebrates the great collaboration between ESA, Telesat and Amarisoft!”

The experiment was conducted between the laboratory ESA’s 5G/6G at the European Space Research and Technology Center (ESTEC) and the LEO 3 satellite, operated by Telesat, a leading company in the satellite sector. This achievement is the result of an agreement signed in early 2024 between ESA and Telesat, which provided access to the satellite.

Alberto Ginesi, Head of the Telecommunication Systems and Techniques Section of the Technology, Engineering and Quality (TEC) Directorate of ESA, declared: “This world-first experiment demonstrates ESA’s technical excellence in advancing satellite broadband access technology. Based on the approval of the 3GPP standards groups, we tested the 5G NTN specification on a real satellite link in non-geostationary orbit. Thanks to this achievement, we have demonstrated ESA’s ability to support advanced broadband satellite networks, paving the way for future projects such as IRIS². I would like to acknowledge the work of Augusto Marziani, Stefano Cioni and Matteo Conti for carrying out this experiment.”

Mario Neri, Director of Spectrum Strategy, Innovation and Space Sustainability at Telesat, said: “This activity allowed the newly standardized 5G NTN technology to be tested in a real-world scenario, using Ka-band spectrum on our LEO 3 satellite – something no one had ever done before. This confirms Telesat’s commitment to constantly explore innovative satellite technologies that can improve life on Earth.”

Using theWith 5G technology provided by the French company Amarisoft, the team managed to establish and maintain a stable connection with the satellite during its passage across the sky. The connection lasted from the moment the satellite appeared on the horizon to its maximum elevation point of 38 degrees and back down again.

This test fits into the strategic line of the program “Space for 5G/6G and Sustainable Connectivity” of ESA, which aims to integrate mobile telephone networks with space networks, with the aim of guaranteeing connectivity to anyone, regardless of their geographical location. This is an ambitious goal that promises to overcome the limitations of terrestrial infrastructure.

The practical applications of 5G NTN (Non-Terrestrial Network) technology are multiple and of great impact. ESA highlights the possibility of carrying out remote surgeries, supporting autonomous vehicles and providing connectivity in the event of natural disasters. This technology could also improve the quality of the internet connection during flights.

This development adds to ESA’s efforts to provide low-cost internet access in remote areas where terrestrial infrastructure makes network access difficult, such as mountainous areas or small islands. In this context, ESA collaborates with the Swedish company Forsway to develop Xtend 5G, a hybrid solution combining satellite and terrestrial networks.