Polish SatCom Alliance Formed. Polish Companies Join Forces for Sovereign Satellite Connectivity

EXATEL S.A., Energa-Operator S.A., Creotech Instruments S.A. and Phoenix Systems S.A. have signed a memorandum of cooperation aimed at developing Polish satellite telecommunications services. As part of an initiative known as the Polish SatCom Alliance, the partners are developing a concept for a European satellite-based internet access system, intended primarily for users in Poland. The aim is to lay the foundations for the provision of services whilst making the widest possible use of domestic technologies and manufacturing capabilities.

The partners combine expertise in the provision of telecommunications services, satellite design and manufacture, software development and cybersecurity with practical knowledge of the energy sector’s needs and the requirements associated with the operation of critical infrastructure. The planned system is designed to ensure secure and resilient data transmission from distributed devices, installations and facilities, particularly where ground-based infrastructure is unavailable, insufficient or where an independent backup channel is required.

The aim of the Polish SatCom Alliance is to increase national control over technology, data and the continuity of service provision. The initiative aims to align the needs of strategic users with the expertise of Polish companies and to lay the foundations for Poland’s long-term presence in the European satellite communications ecosystem.

Connectivity for the energy sector and critical infrastructure

In the first phase, work will focus on satellite-based IoT services designed to transmit data packets from a large number of dispersed devices. Anticipated applications include:

• monitoring of power grids, stations, installations and equipment;

• maintaining essential data exchange in the event of failure, overload or damage to terrestrial networks;

• supporting the protection of critical infrastructure and the continuity of key services;

• communications for public administration, national security and crisis management;

• industrial, transport, logistics and environmental applications.

The technical specifications provide for the use of standards for non-terrestrial networks for communication between IoT devices and satellites in low Earth orbit. The architecture is also designed to enable the development of further connectivity services that meet users’ needs, including those of entities providing services of strategic importance to national security.

“We want Poland to develop its own capabilities in the field of satellite communications: from the design and manufacture of satellites to the provision of secure services by a Polish operator. We are starting with the specific needs of the energy sector and critical infrastructure. By combining national expertise with European cooperation, we aim to increase control over technology, data and service continuity, whilst creating sustainable development opportunities for Polish industry.” – emphasise representatives of the memorandum’s signatories.

Polish expertise, European cooperation

The initiative is based on previous declarations of cooperation by Polish companies and discussions with representatives of the European space and telecommunications industries.

As part of a consolidation study, currently being carried out with the participation of representatives from the European telecommunications sector, the partners are analysing user requirements and refining the configuration of the constellation, the space and ground segments, terminals, software and cybersecurity solutions for the target system. The work also covers the service delivery model, regulatory and spectrum requirements, and the possibilities for integration or ensuring interoperability with the infrastructure of foreign partners and the IRIS² system.

Partners’ industrial and infrastructure facilities

• EXATEL manages one of Poland’s largest fiber-optic networks, spanning approximately 23,000 kilometers, and partners with over 400 operators both domestically and internationally. The company operates its own satellite teleport and maintains facilities for 24/7 network monitoring and cybersecurity. It brings to the initiative its experience in providing connectivity solutions for public administration, the financial sector, and the energy industry. EXATEL’s role in the initiative encompasses managing the service component and acting as the constellation and service operator – specifically responsible for constellation management, system integration with telecommunications infrastructure, defining operational requirements, cybersecurity, customer support, and organizing service operations.

• Energa-Operator is one of the largest electricity distribution system operators in Poland. Its network spans over 200,000 kilometers, covers approximately one-quarter of the country’s territory, and serves more than 3.4 million customers. The company is a leader in the digitalization of the energy sector: nearly 99% of its customers already use remote-reading meters. It brings scale, experience in operating critical infrastructure, and practical knowledge regarding the communication requirements for millions of distributed devices to the project. Within the initiative, it acts as a key user, defining and verifying the system’s applications in the energy sector.

• Creotech Instruments is the prime contractor for strategic Polish satellite systems serving both military and civil clients. The company is executing the Mikroglob program, comprising four satellites for the Polish Armed Forces and the CAMILA satellite constellation for the Polish public administration, developed under a contract with the European Space Agency. The HyperSat platforms developed and manufactured by the company are also utilized by the satellites of the PIAST constellation. Creotech contributes its proprietary satellite platform technology and its expertise in the design, integration, and manufacturing of complete space systems to the Polish SatCom Alliance. Creotech Instruments’ role encompasses serving as the mission prime contractor and satellite manufacturer, with plans to utilize a production facility capable of manufacturing over 40 satellites annually.

• Phoenix Systems is the creator of Phoenix-RTOS, an operating system for Internet of Things (IoT) devices developed in Poland. The company’s technology powers over 1.7 million devices deployed within the European Union’s critical infrastructure, particularly in the energy and gas sectors. Phoenix Systems contributes its proprietary system technology and experience in large-scale software deployments for IoT devices to the initiative. The company’s role in the initiative encompasses key satellite software components and IoT communication solutions.

The initiative also provides for the possibility of cooperation with satellite infrastructure operators, particularly in the context of the development of the European IRIS² system.

“The strength of this initiative lies in the combination of nationwide infrastructure, space-proven technology and software deployed in over a million devices. Such a foundation enables us to design the system from the outset with production and operational requirements in mind, as well as the actual needs of users.”

Invitation to collaborate for the Polish industry

The Polish SatCom Alliance aims to increase the participation of Polish industry, utilise domestic technologies, and develop expertise and the domestic supply chain. The signatories invite further Polish and European organisations whose solutions, experience and needs may support the preparation of the project to take part in the feasibility study.

The invitation is addressed in particular to suppliers of telecommunications payloads, antennas and radio systems, ground segment solutions, cybersecurity, software, quantum technologies and systems integration, as well as future service users.

Enduring capabilities in Poland

The shared objective of the Polish SatCom Alliance is to develop national capabilities spanning the entire value chain: from identifying user needs and providing services, through secure software and ground infrastructure, to the design, manufacture and operation of satellites. This model is intended to strengthen Poland’s national resilience and technological sovereignty, whilst at the same time fostering cooperation with European partners.

About the Polish SatCom Alliance

The Polish SatCom Alliance is a collaborative initiative between EXATEL S.A., Energa-Operator S.A., Creotech Instruments S.A. and Phoenix Systems S.A. Its aim is to prepare and develop a Polish venture in the field of satellite communications services. The first area of focus is an IoT satellite communications system, intended primarily for users in Poland.