LeoSat BV, which is launching a constellation of up to 108 LEO data communications satellites, recently signed a Joint Statement with the European Space Agency (ESA) and 15 satellite industry leaders to collaborate on “Satellite for 5G.”

ESA and the European space industry are joining forces to develop and demonstrate the added value that satellite brings in the context of 5G. Backhaul for mobile networks is crucial to ensure speed and capacity for data transportation from distributed network sites to the network core.  Now with the new developments in satellite constellations, next-generation systems such as LeoSat can provide the guaranteed level of connectivity, resilience and security required by 5G for significant sectors of industry.  

As part of an ESA “Satellite for 5G initiative” foreseen over the 2018 to 2020 timeframe and beyond, ESA and the European space industry will work together on:

• 5G service trials, including satellite capabilities, with a focus on selected sectors targeted by 5G, so called “Verticals”, such as transport, media & entertainment, and public safety
• transversal activities in the areas of applications development, standardization, resource management aspects, interoperability demonstration campaigns, and supporting technologies
• outreach activities

The Joint Statement advocates for further convergence between European industry and institutions on 5G, which will also be reiterated at the ESPI-ESA Conference on “Space and Satcom for 5G: European Transport and Connected Mobility” on June 27 and 28,  2017.  The Joint Statement was signed by Magali Vaissiere, ESA Director of Telecommunications and Integrated Applications, and representatives from 16 satellite operators, service providers and manufacturers.

Mark Rigolle, CEO, LeoSat BV, stated that data volumes are exploding.  By the year 2020, about 1.7 megabytes of new information will be created every second for every human being on the planet.  With the enormous uptake in data usage, this will have a lasting effect on the satellite industry and we see next generation satellite networks such as LeoSat as key for 5G development.  With the mobility market capacity hungry, expanding its coverage and moving to 5G, LeoSat can offer a clear path to growth by providing the benefits of global coverage, high-speed, low latency and rapid deployment.