ESA and GSMA unlock up to €100M to accelerate NTN and D2D innovation
At the opening of MWC26 Barcelona, the European Space Agency (ESA) and the GSMA Foundry have announced access to up to €100 million in new funding aimed at speeding up the convergence of satellite and mobile networks. The initiative focuses squarely on non-terrestrial networks (NTN), direct-to-device (D2D) connectivity and early 6G development.
The funding builds on a partnership launched in 2024 and follows a series of earlier projects involving companies such as OQ Technology, Celeste, Keysight and Sateliot. The intention now is to move beyond pilots and demonstrations toward commercial hybrid networks that combine terrestrial and satellite assets seamlessly.
ESA says the programme is designed to fast-track technologies in four main areas: AI-driven orchestration of multi-orbit networks, standards-based D2D services connecting ordinary smartphones and IoT devices, collaborative 5G/6G test hubs, and early-stage 6G research where satellite-terrestrial convergence is expected to play a defining role.
Rather than focusing on proprietary solutions, the programme is centred on standards-based approaches to D2D that are aligned with the wider 3GPP ecosystem. That signals continued momentum towards services that integrate directly into existing operator networks and work with conventional consumer devices.
The announcement was accompanied by a large NTN showcase at MWC’s New Frontiers zone, which featured live demonstrations that highlighted how satellite and terrestrial networks are beginning to operate as a single ecosystem. Demonstrations covered D2D connectivity, AI-driven orchestration, satellite-enhanced coverage and early 6G concepts, with participation from a broad mix of telecom and space-sector companies.
The move is notable in Europe because it reinforces institutional backing for satellite-mobile convergence at a time when operators across the continent are launching or trialling D2D services. ESA’s involvement also signals a strategic objective: ensuring that future hybrid network infrastructure including spectrum use, standards and operational control develops within a European framework.