Space-enabled 5G technologies – which will transform connectivity and reinforce the internet of things – have come a step closer, thanks to the formation of a new partnership.
ESA is working with Eureka, an international organisation for research and development funding and coordination, and its Celtic-Next cluster, which is developing next-generation communications for a digital society.
The coming era of digitalisation and connectivity – between everything and everyone – is likely to change the way that people live and work, as well as causing huge disruption to existing companies and business models. Consultants predict that the 5G and its successor 6G economy will be worth up to €11.7 trillion by 2035 – about 5% of all global real output in that year.
Telecommunications satellites will play a crucial role in enabling the seamless and ubiquitous connectivity on which high-data-rate 5G and 6G networks rely. They will allow entrepreneurs to develop new products and services, as well as enabling existing companies to offer products and services to customers who have specialised needs.
The three organisations, whose representatives have signed a four-year memorandum of understanding, will join their efforts to ensure that 5G and 6G connectivity becomes ubiquitous through the integration of space and ground-based systems.
This will be achieved through building on synergies and co-ordinating research, development and innovation between the partners.