GSMA Foundry and ESA announce up to €100M funding for AI, NTN, D2D and 6G

GSMA Foundry and the European Space Agency announced new funding worth up to 100 million euros for projects to accelerate the convergence of space and mobile industries. The new initiative, funded by ESA, aims to scale innovations in AI for non-terrestrial networks, direct-to-device connectivity, 5G/6G hubs and 6G innovation. The funding builds on the success of the GSMA Foundry and ESA partnership established in 2024. It is designed to fast-track the commercialization of hybrid networks and help ensure seamless global connectivity through the integration of satellite and terrestrial assets. The funding targets four strategic pillars. These include AI for non-terrestrial networks to orchestrate dynamic spectrum and traffic, direct-to-device connectivity pilots, 5G/6G hubs as collaborative testbeds, and 6G innovation in edge intelligence and advanced IoT. Laurent Jaffart, director of resilience, navigation and connectivity at ESA, said member states' support has made the collaboration possible. Alex Sinclair, chief technology officer at GSMA, said the funding demonstrates that hybrid networks are a commercial reality.