TELECOM | 5G in space? US firms sign development pact
Lockheed Martin and Omnispace will be exploring 5G standards and will be collaborating on how to deliver a potential global 5G from space solution.
US companies Lockheed Martin and Omnispace are exploring a project to jointly develop 5G capability from space.
The two companies will be exploring 5G standards and will be collaborating on how to deliver a potential global 5G from space solution.
This would reportedly be the first truly dual-use 5G platform for commercial and government missions.
In a statement, Washington, DC.-based, Omnispace said the proposed “global 5G standards-based non-terrestrial network (NTN) would offer commercial, enterprise and government devices ubiquitous communications worldwide.”
According to Omnispace, “this type of network has the potential to redefine mobile communications, benefiting users requiring true mobility, regardless of environment or location.”
The 5G NTN will leverage the company’s priority 2-GHz S-band spectrum rights and employ 3GPP standards to enable direct-to-device connectivity and interoperability.
In collaboration with aerospace giant Lockheed Martin, this hybrid 5G network would provide the coverage and capacity to support essential applications requiring seamless, reliable, global communications, the company further said.
“Omnispace is fully committed to the vision of creating a new global communications platform that powers 5G connectivity directly to mobile devices from space,” said Ram Viswanathan, president and CEO for Omnispace. “We welcome Lockheed Martin’s holistic approach to complex systems and deep expertise in satellite technology and government markets, along with their commitment to creating innovative communication solutions.”
Seamless, global 5G connectivity has a wide range of civil and commercial applications. It also brings the coverage and capacity to support defense, government and military use, including mobile joint all-domain interoperable communications.
“We share a common vision with Omnispace of a space-based 5G global network that would enable users to seamlessly transition between satellite and terrestrial networks — eliminating the need for multiple devices on multiple networks,” said Rick Ambrose, executive vice president of Lockheed Martin Space. “Ultimately, it’s about empowering end users with low latency connections that work anywhere. This step forward has the potential to upend space-based mobility.
