The experiment utilized ESA's state-of-the-art 5G/6G laboratory at the European Space Research and Technology Centre (ESTEC) in the Netherlands. ESA partnered with Telesat under a Memorandum of Understanding that granted access to the LEO 3 demonstration satellite, which is critical for low-latency applications and technological development.
The connection, enabled by Amarisoft's 5G technology, maintained stability as the satellite traversed the sky, from near the horizon to its peak elevation. Unlike similar tests with geostationary satellites, this marked the first use of 5G NTN technology with a fast-moving LEO satellite, showcasing its capability for real-world applications.
This advance holds significant potential for a range of industries, including emergency response, telehealth, and autonomous systems. By integrating open telecommunications standards developed by the Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP), the technology promises compatibility with standard mobile devices and seamless network transitions, reducing reliance on ground infrastructure and enabling global connectivity in even the most remote areas.
Antonio Franchi, ESA's Head of the 5G/6G NTN Programme Office, highlighted the strategic importance of the achievement: "We are proud to continue to drive European technological leadership and innovation in the domain of Non-Terrestrial Networks. Tests such as this showcase ESA's role in supporting the development of innovative 5G and 6G systems that unlock social and economic opportunities for people and businesses."
Alberto Ginesi, ESA's Head of the Telecom Systems and Techniques Section, underscored the agency's expertise: "This world-first experiment demonstrates ESA's technical excellence in advancing broadband satellite access technology. Building on the 3GPP standardisation groups' approval, we've proven 5G NTN specifications over a real non-geostationary orbit satellite link."
Telesat's Director of Spectrum Strategy, Mario Neri, emphasized the unique nature of the collaboration: "This activity allowed testing the recently standardised 5G NTN technology in a real-world scenario, using the Ka-band spectrum over our LEO 3 satellite - something that no one had ever done before."
Marouan Benabdellah-Chaouni of Amarisoft noted the broader implications: "Affordable technology is at the heart of Amarisoft's mission. With 5G over satellite, we're making global connectivity more accessible."
This initiative is part of ESA's Space for 5G/6G and Sustainable Connectivity programme, which aims to integrate space-based and terrestrial networks, ensuring continuous coverage worldwide. The success of this experiment establishes a critical foundation for future projects such as IRIS, furthering the vision of universal connectivity.
Related Links
Connectivity and Secure Communications at ESA
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