VTT, ESA sign deal to develop non-terrestrial 5G networks

The VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland and the leading European space organisation ESA have made an agreement on strategic partnership with an aim to develop 5G communications networks for the needs of the space industry.

The three-year agreement will further deepen the long-term cooperation between VTT and ESA, said a press release. The collaboration between VTT and ESA supports the Finnish Space Strategy.

The agreement shows that ESA has confidence in VTT's ability to develop cutting-edge technology for the space sector. ESA strives to collaborate with the kind of actors with competences that may have major impacts for the whole of Europe.

"Integrating satellite into 5G is vital both for the growth of the commercial space industry and for making 5G truly ubiquitous. Our intent is to encourage European space and non-space industry to make use of the live trial platforms that VTT have developed, which are necessary to enable and demonstrate satellite/5G integration," said Senior Telecommunication Systems Engineer Maria Guta from ESA.

VTT and ESA are currently examining what would be the requirements and the necessary technologies for the integration of 5G satellite networks and terrestrial networks, and the common use of 5G pioneer bands. VTT and ESA intend to implement several projects within the sector under the Letter of Intent over the next three years.

"The key aspect of the projects is the use of VTT's extensive test networks. This is one of the most important means in the development of communications systems," explained Team Leader Marko Höyhtyä at VTT.

The integration of satellite and terrestrial networks would benefit the whole society, since even many everyday services are based on data produced by satellites. The systems being developed can be used anywhere where communications systems or, for example, positioning services are needed.

"Autonomous and remotely controlled ships operating far away from the shore are a natural example of a target where the integration of 5G satellite networks and terrestrial networks is needed in the future." This area of application has also been selected as one of the key development targets in the collaboration between VTT and ESA.

In addition to communications applications, VTT is also actively developing remote sensing technologies, such as the world's first miniature infrared hyperspectral imager for the Reaktor Hello World satellite.