SWISSto12 passes CDR for direct-to-device connectivity
SWISSto12 announced on 9 November 2026 that it has passed the Critical Design Review for the S- and Ka-band phased array antennas for UNIVITY’s 5G non-terrestrial network demonstration satellites. The milestone was declared from Renens, Switzerland, with coordination from Paris, France. This review confirms the antenna designs meet requirements ahead of hardware production.
SWISSto12 is developing two active antennas for UNIVITY. An S-band direct radiating array supports direct-to-device services that connect standard 5G phones directly to the satellite. A Ka-band direct radiating array operates at 26 GHz for broadband services and feeder links. Both target 5G NTN applications so one satellite can deliver broadband and direct-to-device connectivity simultaneously. The work forms part of UNIVITY’s uniShape program, which receives institutional backing from France 2030 and the French Space Agency CNES. The dual capability advances UNIVITY’s plan to create shared neutral space-based infrastructure that allows telecom operators to provide both services under their own brands while complementing terrestrial networks.
Through its HummingLink product line SWISSto12 supplies complete high-performance antenna systems. The company applies 3D printing to manufacture passive radiating front ends. Its direct radiating arrays incorporate ultra-efficient radiating elements that include integrated miniaturized low-loss filters. SWISSto12 also designs and produces the beamforming PCBs with state-of-the-art circuits and supplies the antenna digital controls. All work occurs at the Swiss facility using proprietary technology under a vertically integrated model that covers specification through finished product delivery.
Emile de Rijk, CEO and founder of SWISSto12, said, “UNIVITY set us an ambitious schedule; reaching Critical Design Review in less than one year was possible due to SWISSto12’s proprietary and differentiated payload and antenna technology and a vertically integrated delivery model. It's a significant milestone for the program and the start of the next phase as we move into hardware production and an extensive verification and acceptance campaign.”
Charles Delfieux, Chief Executive Officer of UNIVITY, said, “Active antennas are central to our 5G payload architecture: they will enable a single satellite to deliver both broadband and direct-to-device connectivity. This dual capability is essential to our ambition of providing telecom operators with a shared space-based infrastructure that complements their terrestrial networks. By reaching this milestone in less than a year, SWISSto12 has demonstrated its ability to support our ambitious roadmap for the uniShape program.”
SWISSto12 is a leading enabler of the new space economy that leverages patented manufacturing and design technologies including 3D printing to manufacture disruptive payloads. These payloads can be hosted on any platform for any mission in any orbit, either on third-party satellites or on its proprietary compact geostationary platform HummingSat. Founded in 2011, the company is currently delivering payloads for several LEO constellations and seven HummingSat GEO platforms to global operators. It reached $140 million in revenue in 2025, holds over $500 million in contracted orders, and has delivered 110 percent CAGR since 2022.
UNIVITY is developing a satellite constellation that enables telecom operators to provide high-speed low-latency internet access from space while complementing terrestrial networks. The system uses Very Low Earth Orbit satellites and innovative application of telecom operators’ 5G spectrum to deliver a high-performance affordable and sustainable solution. UNIVITY builds neutral competitive space infrastructure so operators can deliver both broadband connectivity and direct-to-device communication under their own brands while retaining control of networks customers and growth. The approach targets diverse markets including residential enterprise backhauling automotive railways maritime and aviation services.
