During the international Industry Space Days 2026 event at the European Space Agency’s ESTEC facility in Noordwijk, the Netherlands, the Latvian Mobile Telephone (LMT) Group and the globally leading space consultancy Novaspace signed a cooperation agreement on the development of a concept for telecommunications innovation platform for Latvia to link the national connectivity sector with the international satellite industry. The initiative follows the successful ESA 5G/6G Non-Terrestrial Network Hub model and will explore Latvia’s potential role within this network.
Signing the agreement marks a pivotal step toward creating a hub for developing an internationally competitive telecommunications sector in Latvia. The hub will strategically bring LMT Group into the space industry and impact the emergence of a wider Latvia’s space innovation ecosystem in next-generation satellite technologies, products, and services tailored to commercial applications, resilient critical infrastructure, security, digitalization and green transition. Essentially, the hub will attract national and international cooperation, funding and talent.
The next generation of mobile communications is closely linked to the rapid growth of the space economy globally. The space infrastructure is already gradually enhancing terrestrial networks, and the 6G era of telecommunications will seamlessly link terrestrial and non-terrestrial networks. The rationale for such development is efficient and resilient connectivity, especially essential in scenarios involving severe weather, power outages or physical infrastructure disruptions.
This initiative builds upon LMT Group’s strategic expansion of its track record in connectivity innovation. LMT is already collaborating with ESA and satellite operator Sateliot to pioneer energy efficient dual-mode satellite Internet of Things (IoT) connectivity, enabled by Latvia’s associate membership in ESA. The hardware and software to be developed will cover the current market gap in devices that can seamlessly switch between terrestrial and satellite networks. The planned 5G/6G NTN hub is a natural next step in scaling LMT’s technological footprint within Europe’s space ecosystem.
“LMT Group has long evolved beyond traditional mobile operations into a full-scale technology innovator. 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,” Ingmārs Pūķis, VP & Member of the Management Board at LMT Group.
The agreement was signed under the EU-funded FIERCE Ecosystem Building Programme, in which LMT Group participates as an innovation intermediary and Novaspace provides strategic support and space-market expertise. Through the programme, Novaspace will work directly with LMT to define and validate the concept, guiding LMT towards a Latvian 5G/6G terrestrial and non-terrestrial network (TN/NTN) hub. The joint effort will focus on identifying Latvia’s distinctive regional value proposition and connecting the future hub with the wider European 5G/6G and NTN ecosystem, rather than replicating existing European initiatives.
“At Novaspace, we are delighted to partner with LMT Group through the FIERCE project. 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,” Gabrielle Brophy, Senior Manager at Novaspace.
The planned hub will be developed together with research and industry partners in the region. This collaborative framework will help retain and grow specialized engineering and scientific competencies in the Baltic region.
The signing ceremony in Noordwijk was attended by representatives of 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 in representation of the FIERCE project, and LMT Group.
