Exploring the Expansion of 5G Networks into Space
Lockheed Martin and Omnispace have partnered to develop 5G infrastructure in space. This venture aims to advance network investment in space and holds strategic significance for defense applications. The initiative aligns with U.S. geopolitical interests and may impact both enterprise use cases and the Department of Defense.
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Key takeaways
Lockheed Martin partners with satellite start-up Omnispace to create a 5G infrastructure network in space.
The partnership's space network has implications for enterprise use and the U.S. Department of Defense.
There are strategic geopolitical interests tied to the development of space-based 5G networks.
For defense contractor Lockheed Martin, space represents valuable terrain, a frontier with infinite possibilities. Recently, the defense contractor announced a partnership with satellite start-up Omnispace. Their mission: To develop a network of 5G infrastructure in space.
This groundbreaking operation poses multiple questions. What drivers are behind the partners’ decision to make space the place for network investment? What steps must Lockheed Martin take to capture market share and overtake competitors like SpaceX’s Starlink or AST & Science that have already made strides in this arena? Will the space network deployment benefit from Biden’s recently unveiled $2 trillion infrastructure bill?
Host Daniel J. Litwin, Editor of B2B Media at MarketScale, was joined by Quentin Donnellan, VP of Engineering and AI Platform Integrations at the enterprise AI company, Hypergiant, to talk about the impact that Lockheed Martin’s new venture will have on the tech industry, the space race, and further down the line, geopolitics on the world stage, plus the possible roadblocks it faces.
Donnellan has deep expertise in the ever-expanding realm of AI. Hypergiant’s suite of AI services, software, and solutions, in fact, supports companies and governments in solving generational and future issues in areas of space, defense, and critical infrastructure. Litwin hosts and produces podcasts with industry and thought leaders across a wide swath of industries and is an expert at telling B2B stories. Together they offer a unique perspective on Lockheed Martin’s expansion of 5G networks into space.
One aspect to consider is that the partnership’s direct-to-device network appeals to customers, but also raises ramifications for enterprise use cases and the U.S. Department of Defense. “I want to highlight the very intentional DoD connection here, which shouldn’t be too surprising, considering that Lockheed Martin is a tried-and-true defense contractor,” says Litwin, referencing the funnel from U.S.-researched innovative tech to DoD and military applications like AI, robotics, drones, and the Internet. “As U.S. geopolitics becomes more tenuous and threatened on the global stage with the rise of other nations like China and economies in the global south, how will catering to the U.S. DoD shape space-based 5G rollout, for better or worse?”
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About the author
Daniel Litwin is a journalist of multiple disciplines focused on finding and telling engaging stories for B2B communities. He has interviewed executives from Fortune 500 companies including Honeywell, Microsoft, John Deere, and Chipotle, and leads editorial direction at MarketScale. Litwin hosts weekly shows and podcasts while helping develop new content approaches across the MarketScale platform. He holds a B.J. in Radio/Television Reporting/Anchoring and a B.A. in Spanish from the University of Missouri-Columbia.
