Virgin Media O2 UK Tests 5G with Satellite Broadband Backup

Mobile operator O2 (VMO2) has begun testing a new “ubiquitous communications” technology in Cornwall (South West England), which has the capability to instantly switch between 5G mobile and satellite broadband if one network becomes unavailable, thus allowing devices to stay connected continuously while on the move.

The project, which aims to produce a publicly available device that can be installed in vehicles on the factory line (e.g. supporting connectivity for autonomous vehicles, mobile health clinics, public transport in rural areas etc.), reflects a wider collaboration with Amazon (AWS), HISPASAT, the UK Space Agency (UKSA), the European Space Agency (ESA) and the Darwin Innovation Group.

Previous research projects, such as the EU funded Satellite and Terrestrial Network for 5G (SaT5G) project (here), have already made it possible to develop solutions that can integrate a standard commercially available 5G core (mobile broadband) network into a live Satellite network. By the sounds of it, VMO2’s project will build on top of that sort of knowledge in order to create the new device.

Satellites can of course be used to support connectivity in areas where mobile networks are either not available (e.g. remote rural areas) or restrictions exist on the construction of new masts, provided there is a clear line of sight to the sky.

Sergio Budkin, Director of Market Development at VMO2, said:

“We are very excited to trial these technologies in a very challenging environment. We have been supporting Darwin R&D with the European Space Agency to bring this technology to market and we are very confident that it will provide UK companies with a technological advantage to reshape the way in which they create value.”

The Cornwall trial itself aims to demonstrate how information (e.g. speed, temperature and air quality information, as well as uninterrupted video or voice calls) can be transmitted from or received in real-time by a van equipped with this technology. The county was chosen because it has plenty of gaps in mobile coverage, as well as providing a challenge for satellite connectivity due to hills or high vegetation.

If neither 5G nor satellite networks are available, the telematics and air quality data the van produces will be stored on board and transmitted as soon as it’s able to connect again. It’s not stated exactly which of HISPASAT’s satellites are being used for the trial, although H30W-5 and H30W-6 seem likely to have the best coverage, albeit suffering from slow latency due to their high (GEO) orbit.