The European Space Agency (ESA) achieved the First 5G world direct connection with a low orbit satellite from Earthan advance that could make “run out of sign” become an obsolete concept.
For the first time in history, the THAT and the satellite operator Telesat They connected a satellite to the Earth using network technology 5G NTN In the band of Ka-Band frequency. He European Space Technology and Technology Center (ESTEC) He described this milestone as “a crucial step to make space connections as simple as using a mobile phone.”
A stable connection with the satellite
The laboratory of 5g/6g of thatlocated in the ESTEC, managed to connect to the satellite Leo 3 from Telesat using the standard 5g with technology from the French company Amarisoft.
During the test, the team established and maintained a stable connection while the satellite moved through the sky. The signal was maintained since the satellite appeared on the horizon to reach a maximum elevation of 38 degrees and then disappear again on the horizon.
A key advance in global connectivity
Until now, the Spanish company Sateliot already offered a connection service 5G NB-ITI From the low orbit of the Earth, but oriented to the Internet devices of things (IoT) and low consumption applications, such as meteorological buoys and agricultural machinery.
The test carried out by the ESA, Telesat and Amarisoft Mark the first implementation of technology 5G NTN Directly with a low orbit satellite, which represents a significant advance for services that require real -time connections, such as emergency management, disaster response, medical care in remote areas, Internet in planes and industrial operations at distance.
Coverage without interruptions
A key aspect of this innovation is the use of open standards of the 3GPPinstead of telecommunications -proprietary technologies. This will allow, when the system is available, mobile devices connect directly to satellites without the need for additional land infrastructure.
This type of direct connection will not only reduce costs and simplify terrestrial networks, but also guarantee continuous coverage worldwide. Will work similar to 5g of smartphones, but with the advantage of maintaining the signal anywhere, even at the top of a mountain or in the middle of the ocean.
Europe accelerates to reach Starlink
With this advance, Europe seeks to reduce the gap that separates it from Starlink, the satellite internet service of Spacexwhich already has more than 6,000 satellites in operation and three million customers.
Currently, Europe has Oneweb and is developing its own public constellation, Iris2. However, the Elon Musk Spacex It continues to lead the sector: in addition to requesting permission to offer Internet of 1 Gbps with its new V2 satellites, the company has completed its first constellation of Direct To Cell satellites, which is already being offered to telephone operators to expand the coverage LTE in areas without signal.