Context of the project

With currently 3 billion people lacking access to broadband internet worldwide, and radio-frequency-based satellite systems approaching their capacity limits, European operators are struggling to fill the white areas with insufficient or nonexistent connectivity.
In light of the early promises of 6G wireless networks, it is tempting to consider non-terrestrial networks as complementary to the ground-based radio and fiber infrastructure. Indeed, free-space optical technology is a natural alternative to deliver greater capacity and to secure data by leveraging quantum communications. Optical communication accommodates a much larger bandwidth and enhances data security via quantum communications. The first optical intersatellite links are already being deployed.
However, once the most important remaining research challenges are resolved, they could rapidly expand and serve as a catalyst for the development of a new communication backbone in the sky, consisting of aerial and space optical nodes at different altitudes.

With the support of the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme, the overarching aim of the FOCAL project is to create a doctoral training network. FOCAL will contribute to form a new generation of highly qualified doctoral candidates in developing innovative aerial and space optical wireless technologies that will provide future telecommunication networks with ubiquitous connectivity, resilience, and quantum-proof security. In addition to contributing to the fundamental understanding and technical know-how of such networks through co-supervised individual research projects, FOCAL will train talented and innovative researchers with multidisciplinary expertise and skills that are desirable in this European industrial sector. This will be achieved through a combination of theoretical and hands-on research training provided by a unique consortium of 16 academic and 10 industrial partners from 8 countries.