Today, on 16 September 2025, during the buzz of World Space Business Week in Paris, the GSMA Foundry and the European Space Agency (ESA) officially renewed their Memorandum of Intent (MoI).
This milestone will see ESA and GSMA deepen efforts to accelerate the integration of terrestrial and satellite networks on a global scale.
Back in 2023, GSMA Foundry and ESA teamed up with a bold ambition: to bring mobile and satellite players closer together, shaping the future of Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTN) for 5G and beyond.
Since then, the partnership has already driven real collaboration between space and terrestrial players. This has been done through:
- GSMA-ESA Joint Industry innovation challenges to accelerate satellite–terrestrial integration. These challenges have seen Industry innovation and new terrestrial-satellite collaboration come through in areas ranging from the deployment of GSMA Open Gateway APIs for satellite Bandwidth on Demand; to creating new state-of-the-art 5G/6G NTN testing hubs.
- ESA funding opportunities made available (to the tune of €15 million) to help companies test and scale their solutions.
- Opening the doors to ESA’s cutting-edge 5G/6G hub in Harwell (UK), where ideas move from concept to trial. This joint effort has seen industry initiate the creation of a dedicated 5G/6G testing hub following the blueprint of ESA’s Hub.
- Showcasing innovation on the global stage, including at MWC Barcelona 2025, where new challenges were unveiled to push the boundaries of connectivity.
In short, the collaboration has been driving real change for businesses, researchers, and innovators alike.
What the Renewal Means
With the renewal signed, one of the clearest signals is that the ESA-GSMA Foundry Challenges are going to remain front and centre of the partnership.
These challenges act as engines for innovation, setting clear problem statements, offering funding, and enabling collaboration. In 2025, four major challenges were launched. Here’s what each aims to do:
- Direct-to-Device (D2D)
This challenge seeks innovations enabling devices (e.g. smartphones or IoT devices) to connect directly to satellites without needing ground infrastructure. The goal is to reach remote or underserved areas, improve resiliency (e.g. in disasters), and bridge the digital divide.
- 6G Innovation
Focused on next-generation technologies where satellite-terrestrial convergence is baked in from early design. Think ultra-low latency, massive IoT, edge intelligence: pushing the boundaries of what 6G might enable when NTN (Non-Terrestrial Networks) are part of the mix.
- 5G/6G Hubs
Establishing and expanding testing hubs where satellite and terrestrial network integration can be trialled and validated. These hubs (for example, ESA’s Hub in Harwell (UK) and Noordwijk (NL)) allow real-world experimentation: testing hybrid connectivity use cases, validating standards, cross-sector deployments (IoT, public safety, smart infrastructures, etc.).
- Fixed Mobile Convergence for TN-NTN Networks
This challenge invites solutions to seamlessly integrate fixed (broadband/fiber) and mobile (cellular/satellite) networks, enabling uninterrupted, high-quality connectivity across both terrestrial and non-terrestrial infrastructures.
It’s not just about technology; it’s about making connectivity truly universal.
Looking Ahead
The renewal in Paris wasn’t just a ceremonial moment; it was a commitment to the future. As mobile and satellite networks are becoming ever more integrated, the GSMA Foundry and ESA are making sure innovation doesn’t just keep pace, but it leads the way.
From Paris to every corner of the globe, the message is simple: the future of connectivity lies in the synergy between space and mobile.
Interested in shaping the future of connectivity with our innovation challenges? Learn more here!
We’d love to hear from you. Get in touch with us at:
- GSMA Foundry: foundry@gsma.com
- ESA: 5G@esa.int