- Univity, a French provider of space-based connectivity services, has closed a €27 million funding round with support from Blast, Expansion, Bpifrance’s Deeptech 2030 fund (under France 2030), and two family offices.
- The investment will accelerate the development of its VLEO 5G uniShape demonstration program, strengthen its teams, and prepare for the industrial-scale deployment of its uniSky constellation starting in 2028.
As digital sovereignty and control over critical infrastructure become increasingly vital, Univity offers telecom operators a way to maintain strategic oversight of their space-based connectivity services. The global market for terrestrial-space network convergence is projected to reach tens of billions of euros by 2030, driven by demand for integrated, high-performance solutions.
Univity’s approach relies on two key technological choices:
- Very Low Earth Orbit (VLEO) positioning, which significantly reduces latency, enhances performance for compact devices (such as smartphones and connected vehicles), and ensures rapid natural satellite deorbiting, contributing to orbital sustainability.
- Use of operators’ 5G spectrum, enabling seamless integration with existing mobile networks and avoiding reliance on congested frequency bands.
This combination positions Univity as a player in terrestrial-space convergence, rather than just another satellite operator.
A Space Infrastructure Designed for Telecom Operators
Unlike vertically integrated constellations focused on direct-to-consumer (B2C) services, Univity adopts a B2B approach, tailored to the needs of telecom operators. The company is developing a neutral, shared space infrastructure that operators can commercialize themselves, much like their terrestrial networks.
Charles Delfieux, founder and CEO of Univity, states: “We are building a reference space infrastructure designed for telecom operators, covering all connectivity needs—from ultra-high-speed broadband to direct smartphone connectivity. The convergence of terrestrial and space networks is inevitable, and our goal is to enable operators to leverage space as a natural extension of their 5G networks, with performance, competitiveness, and sovereignty.”
The uniShape Demonstrator
The funding will finalize the uniShape program, the first VLEO 5G NTN (Non-Terrestrial Network) demonstrator, developed with support from CNES (French Space Agency). The project includes assembling, integrating, and testing two VLEO 5G satellites, as well as validating end-to-end 5G NTN services, including direct-to-cell smartphone connectivity. This demonstrator represents a world first and a decisive step toward deploying the commercial uniSky constellation.
Beyond the demonstrator, Univity is preparing for industrial-scale deployment, aiming to:
- Complement terrestrial infrastructure (fiber, cellular);
- Connect rural and isolated areas;
- Enhance critical network resilience;
- Restore operators’ control over their space-based extensions.
With CNES support, Univity is accelerating the development of a competitive space infrastructure designed to meet telecom operators’ needs for high-speed connectivity, sovereignty, and resilience.
