ESA and the Bharat 6G Alliance collaborate to develop next-generation satellite-enabled 6G networks
The Bharat 6G Alliance, a consortium of Indian academia, industry and national research institutions, has revealed a Memorandum of Intent (MoI) to cooperate with the European Space Agency’s (ESA) Connectivity and Secure Communications' Space for 5G/6G & Sustainable Connectivity programme to develop the next generation of 5G and 6G telecommunications.
Announced on 8 October 2025, during the opening ceremony of the International Bharat 6G Symposium in parallel to the India Mobile Congress 2025, the MoI sets forth a shared objective to collaborate on the development and commercialisation of a next generation cellular network integrating satellite and terrestrial networks.
The announcement took place in the presence of India's Hon’ble Union Minister of Communications, Jyotiraditya M. Scindia; Dr. Neeraj Mittal, Secretary Department of Telecommunications; senior government officers; distinguished global and national experts; academia and industry.
This Memorandum recognises the necessity of developing technological and stakeholder ecosystems in support of 6G networks. This move is consistent with both organisations’ respective mandates to advance the prosperity and well-being of citizens, opening avenues for knowledge exchange and business collaboration.
In under ten years, 5G communications have enabled a myriad of novel technological applications relying on data-connected devices, ranging from telemedicine to disaster relief. According to a UN Trade and Development report, this digital economy is valued at trillions of euros, and has led to a dramatic increase in the volume of data transmitted and in the number of connected devices across cellular networks. The integration of satellite communications in 5G and future 6G networks will enable faster and more resilient communications, whilst ensuring better privacy and ubiquitous coverage.
“This collaboration with the Bharat 6G Alliance underscores ESA’s commitment to international cooperation. By supporting innovation and working closely with India’s expertise, particularly through the unification of terrestrial and non-terrestrial networks, we are taking another step to ensuring that the cellular network of tomorrow will be ready to serve the needs of our citizens,” said Laurent Jaffart, Director of ESA’s Connectivity and Secure Communications. “With 6G, we will enable smarter, more sustainable, networks that will provide connectivity wherever and whenever our citizens need it most.”
“With 6G, we aim to build smarter, more sustainable, networks that provide secure and ubiquitous connectivity for everyone," said Prof. David Koilpillai, Chair of the Bharat 6G Alliance and Professor at IIT Madras.
ESA’s Connectivity and Secure Communications directorate places a strategic focus on the role of space technology in 5G/6G through its Advanced Research in Telecommunications Systems (ARTES) programme. The Space for 5G/6G & Sustainable Connectivity programme fosters partnerships with industry for the development of viable and competitive satellite connectivity technologies and services.