Edinburgh-based radio technology company Sofant Technologies has received financial backing from the UK Space Agency (UKSA) and the European Space Agency (ESA).

The funding amounts to €7.3 million (£6.2 million) and will support the commercialisation of its low-cost low-power satellite communications platform and has been secured under an Advanced Research in Telecommunications Systems (ARTES) contract.

The news comes as Sofant Technologies prepares for its first Series A funding round to scale up its base in Edinburgh and triple its headcount, creating new highly-skilled jobs within Scotland’s engineering sector.

Sofant Technologies’ patented radio frequency microelectromechanical systems (RF MEMS) will help solve the most pressing power consumption and heat problems faced by the next generation of 5G and satellite communications systems.

The funding will see the company complete their satellite communication terminal and allow users to connect to the cloud through a new generation of low-latency, super-fast satellite networks.

Sofant’s platform will enable Satellite Communication (SatCom) and 5G wireless networks to operate with 70% less power and eliminate the need for complex and expensive cooling systems.

This is a significant move in total 5G adoption, a network that will have an estimated 1 billion users by 2022.

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Commenting on the ARTES contract, David Wither, CEO of Sofant Technologies, said: “We are honoured that the UKSA and the ESA have agreed to support the commercialisation of Sofant’s technology. They have a clear understanding of the technical challenges faced by the satellite communications industry.

“They share our belief that a scalable technology platform which solves power consumption and heat problems in phased array antennas is critical for the future of wireless communications. We look forward to working with the team at the ESA throughout this project.”

Connecting devices wirelessly via a satellite network means that those living in rural or remote locations can get online more easily, as there is a reduced need for terrestrial infrastructure with the Sofant Technologies terminal.

Furthermore, those living remotely have the potential for their technology to be powered by solar or wind generated power, as Sofant develops ways they can connect via their own power sources.

Individual carbon footprints can be reduced through this technology, working towards the pursuit of neutral carbon emissions by 2050.

Sofant’s developments will see significant environmental savings, with the COP26 Summit underway in Glasgow these issues are at the forefront of the minds of many.

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