CNES has awarded €31 million in funding to UNIVITY, formerly Constellation Technologies & Operations, to accelerate the development of satellite-based 5G connectivity. The contract forms part of the France 2030 programme, bringing the project’s total budget to €44 million with additional industrial co-financing.
The initiative is viewed as a decisive step towards establishing sovereign, hybrid, and resilient connectivity in France, which combines Very Low Earth Orbit (VLEO) satellites with terrestrial infrastructure.
UNIVITY demonstrates French 5G-NTN capabilities
Selected under the France 2030 space programme, UNIVITY, together with TDF, will deliver a demonstration of satellite-enabled 5G connectivity. The project aims to validate a fully integrated non-terrestrial network (NTN) solution designed and manufactured in France.
As part of its role, TDF will host, install, operate, and maintain three gateway stations-two in mainland France and one overseas. These will ensure interoperability between the satellite system and telecom operators’ ground-based networks.
“Thanks to France 2030 funding, CNES is supporting UNIVITY in preparing, through the in-orbit demonstration ‘uniShape,’ a satellite-based 5G-NTN service designed to meet the needs of terrestrial operators. UNIVITY’s ‘uniSky’ constellation aims to deliver a distinctive French solution for high-speed space-based 5G-NTN connectivity, serving both consumer and professional users, built on innovative concepts and breakthrough technologies,” said Caroline Laurent, Director of Orbital Systems and Applications at CNES.
Phased deployment through 2028
The programme will run until 2028 in two stages:
- Phase 1 (July 2025 – April 2026): technical specification and use case development.
- Phase 2 (April 2026 – February 2028): assembly, integration, testing, launch, and in-orbit operation of two VLEO 5G satellites linked to gateways and terminals to demonstrate high-speed, low-latency services.
This staged rollout will prepare for the launch of two prototype satellites in 2027, with gradual constellation deployment planned between 2028 and 2030.
How UNIVITY is building industrial and technological sovereignty
UNIVITY, which raised €9.3 million in June 2025, has already launched its first regenerative 5G mmWave payload and signed agreements with TDF and the European Space Agency (ESA). Its uniSky constellation aims to leverage operators’ existing 5G spectrum to provide space-based connectivity that complements terrestrial infrastructure.
“We are proud to have the support of France 2030 for this project, which represents a true strategic milestone for us. This recognition validates both our expertise and our vision of converging terrestrial and space networks. said Véronique Bonnet, Programme Director at UNIVITY. “Our entire team is fully committed to this challenge, ready to deliver with enthusiasm, ambition, and determination. “This project represents a true strategic milestone for us.”
Jean-Louis Mounier, Managing Director of TDF’s TowerCo Business Unit, added, “This project is a key milestone for TDF, underscoring our ability to integrate the space dimension into our telecom infrastructure offering. By combining our field expertise, local presence, and technological know-how, we are actively contributing to the emergence of a hybrid, resilient, and sovereign connectivity model driven by French players.”
Strategic context
The €44 million programme is positioned against a backdrop of global competition in satellite connectivity, dominated by US and Chinese players. France 2030’s backing is intended to strengthen national technological sovereignty while positioning Europe in the race for next-generation telecom infrastructure.
“Space is the new frontier for telecommunications,” said Charles Delfieux, President of UNIVITY.
