In France, a telecommunications start-up named Univity has successfully raised €27 million in a Series A funding round. Founded in 2022, Univity aims to create a wholesale space infrastructure that allows European telecom operators to offer satellite-based internet services without being reliant on established competitors like SpaceX's Starlink. This funding round was supported by various investors, including venture firm Blast and the French state's Bpifrance Deeptech 2030 fund, which is part of the France 2030 industrial program. The main objective of Univity is to establish a neutral satellite network that can cater to the service demands of telecom operators, thereby enhancing their market presence. The company plans to launch satellites into very low Earth orbit (VLEO), approximately 375 kilometers above Earth. This lower altitude facilitates faster signal round trips, which improves overall performance for users of smartphones and connected vehicles. Additionally, the service will utilize the operators' existing 5G spectrum, allowing them to seamlessly integrate space-based services into their current mobile networks. The investment from this funding round will support the execution of UniShape, Univity's flagship VLEO 5G demonstration program, which is being developed in collaboration with the French government's space agency, Centre National d'Études Spatiales (CNES). Two prototype satellites are slated for construction, launch, and operation in orbit to validate a high-throughput service, which will include direct-to-smartphone connectivity, a first in the world. The funding will also assist Univity in growing its team and preparing for commercial operations aimed at a broader scale-up by 2028. Univity's founder, Charles Delfieux, has communicated that their goal is to enable telecom operators to treat space as an extension of their terrestrial 5G networks. With this new business model, telecom companies can sell satellite-based connectivity under their own brand name, maintaining their competitive edge against consumer-centric rivals. Investors believe that Univity is not just innovating but is redefining how global communications are structured.