NTT and Cailabs to develop connectivity between satellite networks and data centres

News and Business

Photonics manufacturer Cailabs has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with data centre operator NTT, Inc. to advance direct optical connectivity between satellite networks and terrestrial data infrastructure.

The partnership will examine the integration of NTT’s digital coherent and network control technology into Cailabs’ optical ground stations (OGS), as well as the connection of selected optical ground stations to nearby NTT data centres through NTT’s All-Photonics Network (APN).

In recent years, with the expansion of satellite constellations and the increase in demand for data communications, the importance of high-capacity, low-latency communication infrastructure between satellites and the ground has grown. To achieve this, the utilization of optical communication technology is expected to complement conventional wireless communication.

Under its next-generation information and communications infrastructure initiative, “IOWN (Innovative Optical and Wireless Network),” NTT has been advancing research and development of optical communication and signal processing technologies in the terrestrial network sector.

“This partnership with Cailabs marks a significant milestone in applying NTT’s IOWN technology to the space sector,” said Minako Tsumenaga, Senior Vice President, Head of Alliance Division, Research and Development Marketing Headquarters, NTT, Inc. “Building on the technology cultivated through NTT’s research and development and Cailabs’ proven capability in the steady deployment of optical ground stations, we will accelerate the global expansion of optical communication infrastructure in the space sector and open up new growth opportunities.”

Cailabs, based in France and the United States, designs and manufactures optical ground stations for high-capacity satellite-to-ground communications. Its optical ground stations combine advanced optical technologies with systems designed for deployment and operation in real-world conditions.

Under the MoU, NTT and Cailabs will explore how their respective technologies and capabilities can contribute to an integrated communication network connecting satellite systems, optical ground stations, terrestrial optical networks and data centres.

“Connecting optical ground stations directly to terrestrial optical networks is a critical step toward making satellite optical communications operational at scale,” said Jean-François Morizur – CEO, Cailabs. “By combining NTT’s expertise in advanced optical networking with Cailabs’ experience in designing, manufacturing and deploying optical ground stations, this collaboration will explore an end-to-end architecture connecting satellites, ground infrastructure and data centers. Our shared objective is to help turn high-capacity optical communications into scalable infrastructure for future satellite services.”

NTT and Cailabs will evaluate a phased approach to developing optical communication infrastructure integrating space and terrestrial networks. NTT believes the collaboration could extend to a broader network of optical ground stations connected to NTT data centres, combining satellite-to-ground communications, terrestrial optical networking and coordinated network control to support future commercial services and new opportunities under NTT’s space business brand, “NTT C89”.