Satellite Networks

Univity and Telkomsat to explore VLEO-based 5G D2D services for Indonesia

Univity and Telkomsat to explore VLEO-based 5G D2D services for Indonesia

French satellite startup Univity – which plans to launch very low earth orbit (VLEO) satellites for wholesale 5G direct-to-device (D2D) services – said on Monday it has signed an MoU with Telkom Indonesia’s satellite arm Telkomsat to cooperate on satellite-based connectivity solutions.

Under the terms of the MoU, Univity and Telkomsat will assess potential use cases for satellite connectivity using Univity’s VLEO architecture and D2D services, including enterprise connectivity, mobility, and connectivity solutions for unserved and underserved areas.

Telkomsat and Univity will also evaluate hybrid multi-orbit architectures combining Telkomsat’s geostationary satellites network with Univity’s design-to-cost VLEO systems to deliver secure, resilient and tailored solutions addressing public sector priorities and national security applications.

“Through this MoU with Telkomsat, we look forward to exploring how future satellite connectivity solutions could complement existing infrastructures and support new use cases over time,” said Univity founder and CEO Charles Delfieux in a statement.

“Satellite connectivity continues to play an important role in supporting Indonesia’s digital ecosystem, particularly across remote and geographically dispersed areas,” said Telkomsat’s development chief Anggoro K. Widiawan. “Through this MoU with Univity, we look forward to exploring how emerging satellite architectures and future non-terrestrial network capabilities could contribute to addressing evolving connectivity needs across the country.”

Telkomsat signed a similar MoU in December 2025 with UAE-based satellite firm Space42 to collaborate on D2D satellite connectivity via the Equatys D2D joint venture launched by Space42 and Viasat in September 2025.

Telkomsat has also been reselling Starlink’s satellite broadband services to enterprises in Indonesia since May 2024.

Founded in 2022 and backed by the French government, Univity aims to construct a shared, neutral global constellation of 3,400 VLEO satellites that will orbit around 375km above the Earth to deliver wholesale 5G D2D services using operator partners’ 5G spectrum.

Univity says the lower altitude supports higher speeds and lower latencies than LEO satellites, which is key to supporting 5G connectivity from space. (For reference, Starlink’s LEO satellites orbit at between 340km to 570km, while Amazon Leo’s satellites orbit at 590km to 630km.) The first satellites are currently expected to launch sometime in 2028.

Univity has currently secured EUR68 million (around US$77.7 million) in Series A funding for its network, including EUR31 million from French space agency Centre National d'Études Spatiales (CNES), plus another EUR27 million raised in April, according to Reuters. 

The report said that Univity now has enough funding to launch its first two satellites, with plans for large-scale deployment to kick off sometime in 2028.



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