The CNES formalized the signing of a contract of 31 million euros with the Parisian start-up Univityformerly constellation Technologies & Operations. This funding, granted as part of the program France 2030relates to 44 million euros the overall budget of the project, thanks to industrial co -financing. The initiative is part of a strategy of technological sovereignty and aims to structure a French space 5G connectivity.
A strategic project of digital sovereignty
While the constellations of American and Chinese satellites dominate the market with Starlink in the United States and Guowang in China, France also seeks to position itself on this strategic field. Univity develops the constellation uniskycomposed of satellites in very low orbit (VLEO) capable of providing high speed and low latency internet access by operating the 5G terrestrial spectrum. The objective is to offer hybrid connectivity, combining space infrastructure and existing telecom networks.
The project is also part of regional planning in order to offer solutions to access rural and isolated areas, without requiring massive investments in land networks. This contract marks an important step in the national space connectivity strategy. “Space is the new border of telecommunications,” said Charles Delfieux, president of Univity
Operational implementation with TDF
Univity relies on TDFTelecom infrastructure operator, who will be responsible for the accommodation, installation and maintenance of three anchor stations. Two of them will be deployed in mainland France and one in overseas, in order to ensure interoperability between satellites and land networks.
The project will take place in two phases, the first, from July 2025 to April 2026, will concern technical studies and the definition of use cases. The second, from April 2026 to February 2028, will include assembly, tests, launch and exploitation of two Vleo satellites in orbit.
A trajectory already engaged
Univity had raised 9.3 million euros in the spring of 2025. In June, the company succeeded in the launch of its first 5G millimeter (MMWAVE) regenerative payload for space telecommunications. She also signed memorandum of understanding with TDF and the European space agency. The next steps provide for the launch of two prototypes in 2027, before a gradual deployment of the constellation between 2028 and 2030.
