ESA & GSMA Launch €100M Fund
The European Space Agency (ESA) and the GSMA Foundry have launched a new €100 million funding initiative for projects in AI, 6G, and non-terrestrial networks (NTN). The fund will support standards-based direct-to-device (D2D) connectivity aligned with 3GPP, aiming to position Europe at the forefront of satellite-mobile convergence.
This funding is an extension of a partnership first established in 2023 and formalized with a Memorandum of Intent (MOI) in July 2023, which was renewed in September 2025. The collaboration aims to accelerate the integration of satellite and terrestrial networks by funding innovation challenges, providing access to ESA's 5G/6G hubs in the UK and the Netherlands, and developing training courses. The initiative targets four strategic pillars: leveraging AI for network orchestration, supporting standards-based Direct-to-Device pilots, creating collaborative 5G/6G testbeds, and focusing on early-stage 6G R&D. This funding comes from ESA's Advanced Research in Telecommunications Systems (ARTES) program, a long-running initiative designed to keep European and Canadian industry at the forefront of the satellite communications market. A key focus is adherence to 3GPP standards for Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTN), which gained initial support in Release 17. This release enabled 5G devices to connect directly to satellites, a foundational step for expanding global coverage. Ongoing work in Releases 18 and 19 aims to enhance performance, security, and seamless integration with terrestrial networks. This European initiative is part of a broader strategy to establish technological sovereignty in 6G. The EU's Smart Networks and Services Joint Undertaking (SNS JU) has a budget of €900 million (2021-2027) to steer 6G research, with standardization efforts expected to begin around 2025. The goal is to ensure future networks align with European values and sustainability targets. The move comes as China makes significant strides in space-ground integration and 6G development. China holds 40.3% of global 6G patents and has completed the first phase of its 6G technology trials, identifying over 300 key technologies. Recent tests include a 100 Gbps satellite-to-ground laser transmission and a direct-to-device downlink of 140 Mbps from a satellite 20,000 km high. The increasing commercialization of space, marked by large satellite constellations, is intensifying geopolitical competition over orbital resources and technical standards. This has led to concerns about a "bipolar" orbital infrastructure, with diverging standards between Western-aligned constellations and state-backed systems from nations like China. Regulatory bodies are increasing scrutiny over spectrum access and data sovereignty.
