While American and Chinese giants dominate the space connectivity race, a French startup is shaking up the rules of the game. Constellation Technologies & Operations (CTO), in partnership with telecoms infrastructure operator TDF, has been selected as part of the space component of France 2030 - a program run by the Direction Générale des Entreprises (DGE), Bpifrance and CNES - to conduct an unprecedented demonstration of 5G connectivity via satellite. Through concrete use cases, this experiment aims to validate the relevance of an end-to-end 5G NTN solution, made in France, combining ultra-low orbit satellites and terrestrial infrastructures. In the face of pessimistic speeches about Europe's technological lag, CTO embodies a sovereign industrial ambition resolutely focused on innovation.
TDF will play a key role in the operational implementation of the project, ensuring the design, hosting, installation, operation and maintenance of three gateway stations, two in mainland France and one in the French overseas territories. These stations will be essential for guaranteeing the interface between the satellite network and the terrestrial networks of partner telecom operators.
A shared vision supported by France 2030
A genuine gas pedal for the space industry, the France 2030 program supports the development of technological building blocks critical to the French economy and European technological independence. The project selected by the French government as part of the "Demonstration of an innovative NTN 5G connectivity service" call for tenders, aims to prove that this technology works in a real environment.
"We're proud to be supported by France 2030 in this project, which represents a real strategic milestone for us. This recognition validates both our expertise and our vision of converging terrestrial and space networks. The whole team is fully mobilized, and ready to take up this challenge with enthusiasm, ambition and determination", adds Véronique Bonnet, Program Director at CTO.
"This project marks a key milestone for TDF, confirming our ability to integrate the spatial dimension into our telecom infrastructure offering. By combining our expertise in the field, our territorial roots and our technological know-how, we are actively contributing to the emergence of hybrid, resilient and sovereign connectivity, supported by French players", emphasizes Jean-Louis Mounier, Managing Director of the TowerCo BU at TDF.
An ambitious demonstrator....
The project, co-financed within the framework of France 2030, provides for public support supplemented by 30% industrial co-financing, for in-orbit demonstration until 2028. It is structured in two stages:
- A first batch of studies, scheduled from July 2025 to April 2026, to refine technical specifications and use cases.
- A second implementation and in-orbit operations package, running from April 2026 to February 2028, which will include the assembly, integration, testing, deployment and in-orbit operations of two VLEO 5G mmWave satellites communicating with docking stations and ground terminals to demonstrate high-speed/low-latency service.
Backed by key players such as CNES, this support represents strong recognition of the project's credibility. It also confirms the relevance of the technological and business choices made by CTO and TDF, while acting as a powerful industrial gas pedal.
...for hybrid, sovereign and resilient connectivity
CTO is more than just a technological evolution; it's a strategic solution arriving on the market at a historic moment in the telecommunications sector, marked by the convergence of terrestrial and space-based connectivity. As a future global operator of Internet services from space, the French company is developing a constellation of Very Low Earth Orbit (VLEO) satellites that will enable telecom operators to offer high-speed, low-latency Internet access, just as they do today from terrestrial networks, in 5G millimeter wave (mmWave). A revolutionary way of efficiently connecting rural, isolated or underserved areas, without the need for colossal investments.
A trajectory already well under way
This project is part of an ambitious deployment drive by CTO. Less than six months after raising 9.3 million euros, the company unveiled the first regenerative 5G mmWave payload for space telecommunications, ready for launch into space as early as June 2025. This was followed by the signing of a memorandum of understanding with TDF, now a strategic partner in the project. Next steps include the launch of two prototype satellites in 2026-2027, followed by the gradual deployment of the constellation between 2028 and 2030.
"Space is the new frontier for telecom operators," concludes Charles Delfieux, President of CTO.