The awards honoured challenge winners from both 2024 and 2025, highlighting projects driving advances in satellite connectivity, Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTN), and future 6G technologies.
NTN × Open Gateway Challenge
Winner: Nextworks
Nextworks received the inaugural ESA × Foundry challenge award for its work integrating Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTN) with GSMA Open Gateway APIs, enabling satellite bandwidth to be delivered as an on-demand, API-driven service.
The project demonstrates how satellite connectivity can support real-world use cases including agriculture, IoT services and emergency response. Notably, it is also the first ESA × Foundry project to receive funding and successfully complete delivery, marking an important milestone for the programme.
Direct-to-Device Connectivity Challenge
Two winners recognised for advancing satellite-to-phone connectivity:
- OQ Technology
- Celeste Technologies
Direct-to-Device (D2D) connectivity is rapidly emerging as a key innovation area for the telecom and satellite industries. This challenge recognised solutions enabling mobile devices to connect directly to satellites without relying on ground infrastructure.
- OQ Technology – CREST-5G project, bringing satellite direct-to-device connectivity from concept to a tested system-level reality.
- Celeste Technologies – CeleSoC-NTN project, developing the silicon and software backbone needed to power 3GPP-compliant 5G D2D connectivity from space.
Both projects demonstrate how D2D technologies could extend connectivity to remote regions and support global IoT coverage.
6G Innovation Challenge
Winner: Keysight Technologies and Sateliot
The 6G Innovation category focuses on early-stage technologies that will shape the next generation of mobile networks, particularly where satellite and terrestrial systems converge.
Keysight and Sateliot were recognised for introducing blockchain-based certification for satellite calibration, enabling greater trust, traceability and verification within future mobile-satellite infrastructures.
5G / 6G Hubs Challenge
Winner: Lasting Software
Lasting Software received recognition for its work in developing hybrid terrestrial and satellite test hubs, designed to accelerate innovation and experimentation in TN-NTN convergence.
The project demonstrated a high-fidelity remote-driving use case, showing how next-generation connectivity can enable real-time control of vehicles through integrated 5G and satellite networks.
Fixed Mobile Convergence Challenge
Winner: AWTG
AWTG was honoured for its work integrating 5G and LEO satellite networks into a unified architecture, enabling seamless connectivity across terrestrial and non-terrestrial infrastructures.
The solution dynamically manages connectivity between networks, ensuring users remain connected even as coverage conditions change.
Driving the Future of NTN Innovation
The ESA × GSMA Foundry challenges demonstrate how collaboration between the space and mobile ecosystems can accelerate innovation in areas such as:
- Direct-to-device satellite connectivity
- 5G and 6G network convergence
- Hybrid terrestrial and satellite infrastructures
- Open APIs for programmable connectivity
By bringing together mobile operators, satellite providers, technology companies and research organisations, the GSMA Foundry continues to create a platform where innovative ideas can move quickly from concept to real-world deployment.
Explore the ESA × GSMA Foundry Innovation Challenges 2026
The next wave of innovation is already underway.
If you are developing solutions in AI, NTN, Direct-to-Device connectivity, or future 6G networks, discover how you can participate in the ESA × GSMA Foundry Innovation Challenges 2026.
👉 https://www.gsma.com/get-involved/gsma-foundry/esa-and-gsma-foundry-innovation-challenges-2026/