OQ Technology has launched 5NETSAT: a mission backed by the European Innovation Council (EIC) to deliver secure 5G satellite messaging and emergency alerts to unmodified smartphones. It is also backed by a €2.5 million grant from the European Innovation Council as part of the prestigious EIC Accelerator programme.
The mission will demonstrate capabilities in direct satellite-to-smartphone communication, including emergency SMS and broadcast alerts delivered to standard 5G devices using IMT spectrum. These services will function without any hardware or software modifications.
Complementing the grant, OQ Technology has also been picked for equity investment by the EIC Fund. This dual support comes amid rising geopolitical focus on sovereign digital infrastructure and resilient communication networks.
“This marks a significant milestone in our journey to build Europe’s first commercial Direct-to-Mobile satellite constellation,” said Omar Qaise, Founder and CEO of OQ Technology. “With 5NETSAT, we are proving that secure, space-based mobile communication is not only technically viable but scalable, sustainable, and lifesaving.”
5NETSAT will be Europe’s first service demonstration of a 5G non-terrestrial network (NTN) in Low Earth Orbit. It will enable satellite-based delivery of emergency alerts and SMS messages to 5G smartphones, enable real-time public safety communications during disasters or cyber attacks, and support secure coordination for first responders and national emergency agencies.
The mission is also expected to deliver wide-ranging impact. It promotes digital inclusion for underserved regions and improves public safety. It supports innovation, creates high-value jobs in the European space sector, and opens up new commercial opportunities through mobile-satellite convergence. It also reduces dependence on terrestrial infrastructure and aligns with the European Green Deal.
5NETSAT supports key EU policy initiaitve such as IRIS, The Digital Decade, Horizon Europe, and the Gigabit Infrastructure Act. It directly contributes to global Sustainable Development Goals, particularly in areas such as disaster resilience, climate action, innovation, and cross-sector collaboration.
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