ESA & GSMA Launch €100M Tech Fund

This new fund builds on a partnership established in 2024, which began with up to €15 million in ESA funding to stimulate innovation in terrestrial and non-terrestrial network (NTN) integration. That initial collaboration focused on challenges in the mobility sector and the development of new APIs to foster novel use cases for enterprise developers. The focus on Non-Terrestrial Networks is critical for public service resilience. NTNs provide a connectivity layer that is not dependent on ground infrastructure, which is vital for emergency services when terrestrial networks fail during natural disasters. This aligns with broader European efforts to use satellite communications to ensure resilient, secure, and ubiquitous governmental communications. Direct-to-Device (D2D) technology, another key funding area, has direct applications in civic tech and public safety. It enables direct communication between devices—from first responder radios to IoT sensors for monitoring infrastructure like floodgates—without reliance on traditional cellular towers. This capability is being explored to replace older systems, like the TETRA radio network used by European government and emergency services. For service designers in government, the push into 6G and AI is particularly relevant. 6G is envisioned as the backbone for future smart cities, enabling real-time data analysis from millions of connected devices to manage traffic, energy, and public services dynamically. This creates a need for robust, user-centered design to translate complex data into functional and accessible civic services. This funding aligns with the European Commission's broader "Apply AI" strategy, which aims to accelerate the adoption of artificial intelligence within the public sector to improve service delivery and streamline administrative processes. The strategy encourages a "buy European" approach with a focus on open-source AI solutions, creating a pathway for innovations from this fund to be integrated into future government platforms. One company that has previously benefited from ESA's support in this domain is OQ Technology, a Luxembourg-based satellite operator. They are pioneering 5G NTN connectivity directly to devices and were the first in Europe to operate a LEO constellation dedicated to these services. The initiative will also expand access to ESA's 5G/6G Hub in Harwell, UK, and the 5G/6G Telecom Lab in the Netherlands, providing critical testing facilities for grant recipients. These testbeds allow for the co-creation of hybrid network infrastructure, enabling developers and operators to validate use cases for everything from autonomous vehicles to next-generation logistics.