Noordwijk, the Netherlands — In a pivotal development bridging terrestrial and celestial communications, the Latvian Mobile Telephone (LMT) Group and global space consultancy Novaspace have signed a strategic cooperation agreement. The formal signing took place on September 22, 2026, during the international Industry Space Days 2026 event hosted at the European Space Agency’s (ESA) ESTEC facility in Noordwijk, the Netherlands.
The newly established agreement sets in motion the development of a comprehensive concept for a telecommunications innovation platform in Latvia. This ambitious initiative is designed to link the national connectivity sector directly with the international satellite industry, closely following the successful model established by the ESA 5G/6G Non-Terrestrial Network (NTN) Hub while exploring Latvia’s unique potential role within this broader European network architecture.
Laying the Groundwork for an Internationally Competitive Tech Sector
The signing of this agreement marks a crucial milestone toward fostering an internationally competitive telecommunications sector within Latvia. By strategically integrating LMT into the aerospace and satellite ecosystem, the partnership is expected to catalyze the emergence of a wider Latvian space innovation ecosystem. This domestic ecosystem will focus heavily on next-generation satellite technologies, cutting-edge products, and advanced services tailored for commercial applications, highly resilient critical infrastructure, national security, digital transformation, and the green transition.
Ultimately, the planned hub is envisioned as a powerful magnet for both national and international cooperation, drawing in crucial funding, strategic partnerships, and specialized technological talent to the Baltic region. The initiative will be developed in close collaboration with regional research institutions and industry partners, ensuring that specialized engineering and scientific competencies are not only retained within the Baltic region but actively grown over the long term.
Bridging Terrestrial and Non-Terrestrial Networks for the 6G Era
The global telecommunications landscape is undergoing a fundamental transformation, with the next generation of mobile communications becoming inextricably linked to the rapid expansion of the global space economy. Today, space-based infrastructure is gradually enhancing and supplementing traditional terrestrial networks. Looking ahead, the forthcoming 6G era of telecommunications will seamlessly merge terrestrial and non-terrestrial networks into a unified, cohesive system.
The core rationale behind this technological convergence is the urgent need for highly efficient, uninterrupted, and resilient connectivity. Such robust infrastructure is especially critical during severe weather events, widespread power outages, or physical disruptions to terrestrial fiber and cellular infrastructure. By bridging ground-based mobile networks with orbital assets, communication systems can maintain continuous operational integrity when it matters most.
Scaling LMT’s Technological Footprint Within Europe
This new initiative builds naturally upon the LMT Group’s ongoing strategic expansion and its proven track record in connectivity innovation. LMT is already actively collaborating with the European Space Agency and satellite operator Sateliot to pioneer energy-efficient, dual-mode satellite Internet of Things (IoT) connectivity. This pioneering work is directly enabled by Latvia’s associate membership in ESA. The advanced hardware and software currently under development are specifically engineered to bridge a major current market gap by creating devices capable of switching seamlessly between terrestrial cellular networks and satellite links.
Consequently, the planned 5G/6G NTN hub represents a natural next step in scaling LMT’s technological footprint and operational capabilities within Europe’s broader space ecosystem.
"LMT has long evolved beyond traditional mobile operations into a full-scale technology innovator," said 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."
Strategic Support Under the EU-Funded FIERCE Programme
The cooperation agreement was formally established under the umbrella of the European Union-funded FIERCE Ecosystem Building Programme. Within this framework, LMT participates as a key innovation intermediary, while Novaspace contributes specialized strategic support and deep space-market expertise.
Through the FIERCE programme, Novaspace will work hand-in-hand with LMT to define and rigorously validate the platform concept, effectively guiding LMT toward the establishment of a dedicated Latvian 5G/6G terrestrial and non-terrestrial network hub. Rather than needlessly duplicating existing European initiatives, the joint effort will focus precisely on identifying Latvia’s distinctive regional value proposition and connecting the future hub with the wider European 5G/6G and NTN ecosystem.
"At Novaspace, we are delighted to partner with LMT Group through the FIERCE project," stated 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."
The significance of the agreement was underscored by the high-profile attendance at the Noordwijk signing ceremony. The event brought together key representatives from the European Space Agency, Novaspace, the Embassy of Latvia in the Netherlands, the Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Latvia, the Investment and Development Agency of Latvia, Novaspace in its capacity representing the FIERCE project, and the LMT Group.
