ARTES 4.0 Space for 5G/6G and Sustainable Connectivity

Establishing seamless, ubiquitous and resilient connectivity is vital in the context of emerging technologies.

5G boosts connectivity, generates business and brings added value to consumers and citizens. ESA, European industry and the EU join forces to integrate satellite technologies into communications networks to accelerate the rollout, reach and impact of 5G—beyond 5G into 6G—and to deliver fully hybrid networks to Europe and the world.

ESA’s flagship 5G/6G Hub was developed in collaboration with industry at our ECSAT facility in Harwell, UK.  The Hub is a centre for innovation and demonstration, tailored to meet the growing demands of stakeholders, operators and all users of technology. It features demonstration rooms on space travel, the digitalisation of planetary and human health, and an engineering suite that houses our network capabilities and satellite uplinks.

Collaborations with industrial partners play a pivotal role in ESA's efforts to advance the digital transformation of industry and society, thanks to the integration of 5G/6G terrestrial and non-terrestrial networks. 

Space for 5G, 6G and our 5G/6G Hub

How to work with ESA ARTES 4.0

What is the ARTES 4.0 5G/6G and Sustainable Connectivity Programme?

5G and 6G are the next two generations of cellular connectivity and the next big leap forward for terrestrial and satellite telecommunications.

5G and 6G technology allows us to be connected to everything, everywhere, at any time and nearly any speed. Satellites and space technologies are instrumental to build and operate such future 5G and 6G networks. They offer unique advantages in terms of security, resilience, coverage, and mobility. Satellites remain the only way to make 5G and 6G available everywhere, accessible to enterprises and citizens across every corner of Europe and the wide expanses of Canada.

ESA's Space for 5G & 6G strategic programme line demonstrates the essential nature of satellites for 5G and 6G. It sets the standards and frameworks for hybrid and downstream interoperability, as well as the base for integrating terrestrial networks with satellites.

• We build innovation hubs and testbeds for 5G and 6G pilots and trials. 
• We draw technology and product roadmaps; we support and foster the development of integrated value-added applications and services. 
• We help overcome the digital divide. 
• We connect Europe.

Space for 5G

5G is the fifth generation of cellular network technology and the next big leap forward for terrestrial and satellite telecommunications. 5g will drive a convergence of fixed and mobile services, introduce a new set of technologies and standards, and create a network of networks to facilitate communications between anyone and anything. 

Space for 6G 

The 6G era is expected to meet extraordinary requirements in our global economy due to the continuous need for technological evolution. 6G will lead to new IoT and AI services that will harness social and environmental topics to achieve large-scale sustainable impact and disruptive technological advances in society. 

ESA 5G/6G Hub 

As part of the 5G/6G strategic programme line, ESA has developed a 5G/6G Hub. This facility is a research, innovation and collaboration centre, and is part of ESA’s European Centre for Space Applications and Telecommunications (ECSAT) located at the Harwell Campus in Oxfordshire in the United Kingdom. 

The main purpose of the 5G/6G Hub is to host companies from the 5G/6G ecosystem, like satellite and terrestrial network operators, equipment manufacturers and application developers, to partner with ESA to test their technology and discover how satellite and terrestrial communication networks can converge to create and support innovative applications and services. 

What projects are we looking for? 

For the best chance of success in securing funding via the ARTES 4.0 programme and provided all other conditions are met, submissions for the 5G/6G and Sustainable Connectivity programme line should be in line with the following specific requirements:

• Develop innovative services and applications that benefit industry, society and the environment in the context of the future 5G- and 6G-based economy. 
• Create projects that extend service coverage to unserved areas and ensure service continuity for all users. 
• Generate activities and partnerships to develop multi-orbit hybrid 5G and 6G networks and user terminals. 
• Develop activities that provide connectivity to moving platforms, like vessels, aircraft, trains, cars, disaster relief vehicles, etc. 

How to work with the ARTES 5G/6G programme line? 

Please see the 'How to work with us’ section on the ARTES pages for an overview of all ways how your organisation can benefit from collaborating with ESA.

How to work with ESA ARTES 4.0