NASA and Nokia team up to build the Moon’s first 4G network
Early Moon colonists will need connectivity too, as well as their daily dose of internet cat sattire.
Key takeaways
- The collaboration is part of NASA’s Tipping Point program, through which the agency hopes to accelerate the development of space-based technologies through investments with private firms.
- Nokia’s research arm Bell Labs is teaming up with private space company Intuitive Machines for the effort, and will pack its end-to-end LTE solution into the firm’s lunar lander.
- Once in place, the network will offer communications support for data transmission, control of lunar rovers, real-time navigation and streaming of high-definition video.
Cite or link to this article
Griffin, M. (2020) 'NASA and Nokia team up to build the Moon’s first 4G network', 311 Institute, 8 November. Available at: https://www.311institute.com/nasa-and-nokia-team-up-to-build-the-moons-first-4g-network/ (Accessed: 1 October 2026).
Over half the people on the planet don’t have access to reliable broadband, although that’s changing with the launch of thousands of SpaceX satellites, but nevertheless that didn’t stop Vodafone a couple of years ago from announcing that they were going to build the world’s first 4G network on the Moon. But now they might be beaten to the punch after NASA, who plan on returning to the Moon by the end of the decade, signed a contract with Nokia to build one.
NASA’s plans to return to the Moon involve not just safely landing humans on the surface, but putting in place the infrastructure to support a long-term lunar base which is why they recently signed a contract with 3D printing company ICON to build their base in years to come. As part of this vision, the agency selected Nokia to help it build the natural satellite's first ever cellular network, which is expected to be rolled out in late 2022.
The collaboration is part of NASA’s Tipping Point program, through which the agency hopes to accelerate the development of space-based technologies through investments with private firms. It awarded Nokia $14 million for its plan to deploy the first LTE/4G communications system in space, which will be key for NASA's Artemis program and hopes of establishing a sustainable presence on the Moon.
Nokia’s research arm Bell Labs is teaming up with private space company Intuitive Machines for the effort, and will pack its end-to-end LTE solution into the firm’s lunar lander. This will include an LTE base station, user equipment and RF antennas, all designed to endure the physical demands of launching, landing and operating in space.
Once in place, the network will offer communications support for data transmission, control of lunar rovers, real-time navigation and streaming of high-definition video. It will also provide astronauts with greater voice and video communications capabilities, telemetry and biometric data transmission and control over robotic payloads.
“Reliable, resilient and high-capacity communications networks will be key to supporting sustainable human presence on the lunar surface,” says Marcus Weldon, Chief Technology Officer at Nokia. “By building the first high performance wireless network solution on the Moon, Nokia Bell Labs is once again planting the flag for pioneering innovation beyond the conventional limits.”
Source: Nokia
What this means for your organisation
Space needs connectivity.
A lasting Moon base needs reliable communications. Cellular networks bring proven technology. Telecom firms gain a new frontier.
Public money backs private firms.
NASA funds private firms to speed space technology. That lowers barriers for new entrants. Look for similar programmes in your field.
Terrestrial tech adapts to space.
Ground networks must survive harsh lunar conditions. Lessons will flow back to networks at home. Firms should watch for spin-offs in remote connectivity.
Three questions for your next leadership meeting
- Could our technology serve future space infrastructure?
- Which public programmes could fund our frontier research?
- How might space-hardened networks improve our remote sites?
The trends and technologies behind this story
From the 311 Starburst, the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit’s map of the technologies and trends shaping the next 50 years.
Analysis by the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit, from Matthew Griffin’s article and 311 data. First published on Fanatical Futurist.
FAQ
Why does this matter?
Early Moon colonists will need connectivity too, as well as their daily dose of internet cat sattire.
About the author
Matthew Griffin Founder, President and Futurist, 311 Institute
Matthew Griffin is a multi-award winning Futurist and expert in Disruption and Innovation, Geopolitics, Leadership, and Technology, who NASA have described as a "walking encyclopaedia of the future" and a "futurist Polymath."
Read full bio
Matthew Griffin is a multi-award winning Futurist and expert in Disruption and Innovation, Geopolitics, Leadership, and Technology, who NASA have described as a "walking encyclopaedia of the future" and a "futurist Polymath." 17-time best selling author of the "Codex of the Future" series, Matthew is the Founder, President and Futurist of the 311 Institute, a global Futures and Deep Futures advisory firm working with royal households, world leaders, G7, G20, and G77 governments, NGOs, and multi-national mid and mega cap firms to help them explore, shape, and lead the next 50 years of business and society.
An award-winning YouTube creator with over a million followers, with an unrivalled global reach and impact, Matthew is a highly sought-after international keynote speaker, lecturer, and mentor who collaborates with global leaders through the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC) and United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) to shape pivotal initiatives such as the UN’s AI for Humanity programme, the United Nations Conference of the Parties (UN COP), and the World Economic Forum in Davos.
As the former Global Head of Cloud, National Security, and Enterprise Sales for companies including Atos, Dell-EMC, and IBM, Matthew has a proven track record of building multi-billion dollar business units and turning failing divisions into market leaders. His ability to identify, analyse, and communicate the implications of hundreds of emerging technologies and trends is unparalleled, and his insights are trusted by many of the world’s most respected organisations, including ABB, Accenture, Adidas, AON, ARM, BCG, Centrica, Citi, Coca-Cola, Dentons, Deloitte, Dow Jones, EY, Google, KPMG, Lego, Legal & General, LinkedIn, Microsoft, PepsiCo, Qualcomm, RWE, Samsung, Siemens AG and Siemens Energy, T-Mobile, UBS, VISA, Walmart, Workday, Worldpay and many others.
Regularly featured in the global media including the AP, BBC, Bloomberg, CNBC, Discovery, Forbes, Khaleej Times, Telegraph, TIME, ViacomCBS, WIRED, and the WSJ, Matthews mission is to help organisations create a fair and sustainable future whose benefits are shared by everyone irrespective of their ability, background, or circumstances.
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Sources and further reading
- Tipping Point program nasa.gov
- Artemis nasa.gov
- Intuitive Machines intuitivemachines.com
- Nokia selected by nasa to build first ever cellular network on the moon nokia.com
Source: first published by the 311 Institute on 8 November 2020. Cite as: Griffin, M. (2020). NASA and Nokia team up to build the Moon’s first 4G network. 311 Institute. https://www.311institute.com/nasa-and-nokia-team-up-to-build-the-moons-first-4g-network/
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