Noordwijk, the Netherlands — In a major development bridging terrestrial telecommunications and the aerospace sector, the Latvian Mobile Telephone (LMT) Group and global space consultancy Novaspace have signed a landmark cooperation agreement. The signing took place on September 22, 2026, during the high-profile international Industry Space Days 2026 event hosted at the European Space Agency’s (ESA) ESTEC facility in Noordwijk, the Netherlands.
The newly minted agreement lays the foundation for developing a comprehensive concept for a telecommunications innovation platform in Latvia. This strategic initiative is designed to link the Baltic nation’s burgeoning connectivity sector directly with the international satellite industry. Following the successful blueprint of the ESA 5G/6G Non-Terrestrial Network (NTN) Hub model, the collaborative effort will thoroughly explore Latvia’s potential role and value proposition within this rapidly expanding global network.
A Pivotal Step for Latvia’s High-Tech Ecosystem
The formalization of this agreement marks a pivotal milestone toward creating an internationally competitive telecommunications sector in Latvia. By establishing this dedicated hub, LMT will strategically expand its footprint into the space industry, catalyzing the emergence of a broader national space innovation ecosystem. This ecosystem will focus heavily on next-generation satellite technologies, cutting-edge products, and specialized services tailored for commercial applications, highly resilient critical infrastructure, national security, accelerated digitalization, and the broader green transition.
Beyond technological advancement, the hub is anticipated to serve as a powerful magnet for both national and international cooperation, drawing vital funding, strategic partnerships, and top-tier engineering talent to the region.
The global telecommunications landscape is undergoing a profound transformation, with the next generation of mobile communications becoming inextricably linked to the meteoric growth of the space economy. Today, space infrastructure is already gradually enhancing and complementing traditional terrestrial networks. Looking ahead, the upcoming 6G era of telecommunications will achieve the seamless convergence of terrestrial and non-terrestrial networks.
The strategic rationale behind this integration is rooted in the urgent demand for highly efficient and resilient connectivity. Such robust systems are especially critical during scenarios involving severe weather events, widespread power outages, or physical infrastructure disruptions, where conventional terrestrial networks alone might fail.
Building on Proven Innovation and European Collaboration
This latest initiative directly builds upon the LMT Group’s strategic expansion and impressive track record in connectivity innovation. LMT is already actively collaborating with the European Space Agency and prominent satellite operator Sateliot to pioneer energy-efficient, dual-mode satellite Internet of Things (IoT) connectivity. This ongoing work is made possible largely through Latvia’s associate membership in ESA. The advanced hardware and software currently under development are specifically engineered to bridge a notable current market gap: devices that can switch seamlessly and reliably between terrestrial cellular networks and satellite connections. Consequently, the planned 5G/6G NTN hub represents a natural and ambitious next step in scaling LMT’s technological footprint across Europe’s wider space ecosystem.
“LMT has long evolved beyond traditional mobile operations into a full-scale technology innovator,” stated Ingmārs Pūķis, Vice President and Member of the Management Board at LMT. “As we prepare for the 6G era, integrating satellite communications into our infrastructure and service portfolio is essential. Our goal is to ensure resilient, secure communications for new commercial services and for critical infrastructure under any circumstances, to produce exportable space technologies and develop services that contribute to digitalization and green transition. Partnering with Novaspace will allow us to define Latvia’s unique value proposition within the European space ecosystem and expand local high-tech expertise.”
The cooperation agreement was formalized under the umbrella of the EU-funded FIERCE Ecosystem Building Programme. Within this framework, LMT participates as a key innovation intermediary, while Novaspace contributes invaluable strategic support and specialized space-market expertise. Through the structured program, Novaspace experts will work hand-in-hand with LMT to define and validate the core concept, effectively guiding the telecommunications leader toward the establishment of a fully realized Latvian 5G/6G terrestrial and non-terrestrial network hub.
Rather than needlessly replicating existing European initiatives, the joint effort will concentrate intensely on identifying Latvia’s distinctive regional value proposition. It will also focus on connecting the future hub smoothly with the wider European 5G/6G and NTN ecosystem.
Strengthening Europe’s Space Economy and Regional Competencies
“At Novaspace, we are delighted to partner with LMT Group through the FIERCE project,” said Gabrielle Brophy, Senior Manager at Novaspace. “The strength of Europe’s space sector depends on active participation across all Member States, and Latvia is well positioned both to benefit from and contribute to Europe’s growing space economy. Flagship European programmes such as Copernicus, Galileo, EGNOS and IRIS² are creating new opportunities for innovation, resilient connectivity and commercial growth. Drawing on Novaspace’s global market expertise, we look forward to supporting LMT in defining a distinctive role for Latvia within Europe’s 5G/6G and non-terrestrial network ecosystem.”
To ensure long-term success and sustainability, the planned hub will be developed in close cooperation with leading research institutions and industry partners throughout the region. This collaborative framework is expected to play a crucial role in retaining, nurturing, and growing specialized engineering and scientific competencies within the Baltic region, ensuring that local talent remains at the forefront of aerospace and telecommunications development.
The high-level signing ceremony in Noordwijk drew a distinguished gathering of international stakeholders. Attendees included representatives from the European Space Agency, Novaspace, the Latvian embassy in the Netherlands, the Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Latvia, the Investment and Development Agency of Latvia, Novaspace representing the FIERCE project, and leadership from LMT.
