French satellite broadband startup CTO has joined forces with TDF, operator of France’s largest network of carrier-neutral hosting sites, to seamlessly integrate its planned very low Earth orbit (VLEO) 5G services with existing terrestrial telecommunication networks. A significant agreement, announced on March 20, outlines plans to rigorously test the practicality of leveraging cellular frequencies from telecom partners to deliver VLEO services directly to user terminals, which CTO (Constellation Technologies & Operations) is currently developing.
CTO founder and CEO Charles Delfieux explained that this collaboration also lays the groundwork for deploying gateways at TDF’s facilities, thus bolstering backhaul services and establishing crucial emergency communication links between satellite and terrestrial networks. “Beyond infrastructure, CTO and TDF share a common vision: to serve as neutral hosts for telecom operators — TDF on the ground, CTO from space,” Delfieux stated via email.
CTO secured approximately $10 million in funding from France’s Expansion Ventures fund last year to support its ambitious plan to launch 1500 small satellites into orbit at an altitude of 335 kilometers. This lower altitude offers advantages such as faster communications and smaller user terminals compared to higher-orbit systems like SpaceX’s Starlink, but also presents unique challenges related to atmospheric drag. Delfieux confirmed that CTO is progressing towards its goal of launching a test payload in June using a SpaceX Falcon 9 rideshare mission hosted on a spacecraft provided by Italy’s D-Orbit. This payload will facilitate initial end-to-end 5G tests from an altitude of 550 to 600 kilometers before the transition to the planned VLEO deployment.
The company aims to deploy its first two 350-kilogram VLEO satellites next year, with the full constellation projected to be operational by 2029, providing global service coverage. Delfieux noted that a relatively small number of satellites—just 36 positioned on the equatorial plane—would suffice to establish an initial emergency connectivity service, guaranteeing connectivity even in the event of natural disasters disabling terrestrial relay antennas. “In disaster scenarios, our inter-satellite links will allow connectivity to “hop” between islands, or to mainland areas where terrestrial infrastructure remains intact, ensuring continued access via anchor gateways,” he explained. In addition to network integration, TDF will contribute its local expertise and personnel to expedite connectivity deployments in critical situations.