UK Government allocates £20 million funding for aerial connectivity projects

The funding is part of the European Space Agency’s Advanced Research in Telecommunications Services (ARTES) program, which the UK government has committed £190 million to.

Hand holding phone with a view on a wifi pattern tiles

UK Space Agency has announced £20 million in funding to support the development of aerial connectivity projects. The funding will cover drones, high altitude platform stations (HAPS), and high-altitude long endurance (HALE) unmanned air vehicles. Potential applications include using drones for medical supply delivery, emergency services communications, and providing broadband connectivity in rural areas.

The funding is part of the European Space Agency’s Advanced Research in Telecommunications Services (ARTES) program, which the UK government has committed £190 million to. Additionally, the GSMA and ESA have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to explore collaboration between satellite and mobile industries, focusing on integrating satellite communications with terrestrial 5G and future 6G networks.