The round was lead by Blast, Expansion, and the Deeptech 2030 fund managed on behalf of the French State by Bpifrance.
The uniShape programme aims to demonstrate the performance of the company’s high-speed, low-latency VLEO connectivity service.
Univity says the funding will also enable it to expand its staff and to prepare for its industrial and commercial scale-up from 2028.
Connectivity
“We are building the reference space infrastructure designed for telecom operators, covering the full range of connectivity needs — from ultra-high-speed broadband to direct-to-smartphone connectivity,” said Charles Delfieux, Founder and CEO of Univity, pictured left, previously.
“The convergence between terrestrial and space networks is inevitable. Our ambition is to enable operators to leverage space as a natural extension of their terrestrial 5G networks, combining performance, competitiveness, and sovereignty.”
Sovereignty
For its part, Bpifrance highlighted the importance of NTNs (non-terrestrial networks).
“We are delighted to continue supporting Univity, whose globally impactful innovations in VLEO and 5G NTN spectrum are critical to enabling telecom operators to remain competitive and independent in the space connectivity market,” said Stéphane Lefevre-Sauli, Senior Investment Director at Bpifrance.
“This investment fully addresses national and European sovereignty challenges in connectivity, which are at the core of our investment thesis.”
VLEO 5G demo
Univity describes the demo as the first VLEO-based 5G NTN demonstrator.
Two VLEO 5G satellites will be assembled, integrated, tested, and operated in orbit to validate a 5G NTN service. And also Direct-to-Cell smartphone connectivity. That is to say — from ground gateways to end-user devices.
CNES
In September last year, CNES – the French Space Agency – awarded Univity a €31 million contract. This was to develop space-based 5G for terrestrial applications.
Its plan is for a fully integrated 5G non-terrestrial network, designed and built in France. It will be combining VLEO (very low Earth orbit) satellites with terrestrial infrastructure.
Image: Univity/CNES – Charles Delfieux, CEO and President of UNIVITY, left, signing an agreement with CNES (Centre National d’Etudes Spatiales).
