Project Description:

Mobile network operators are facing an investment dilemma with the roll out of 5G and 6G networks. On the one hand 5G offers much higher bandwidths, lower latency and greater processing capabilities to enable UHD video, vehicle autonomy and massive IoT but at significant capital investment and opex.

A significant factor is the cost of energy both from an economic and environmental perspective and a key driver of energy is the carriage of media content. Whereas there has been significant innovation and deployment of content delivery networks (“CDN”) to improve efficiency from the client pull to the creator push, the remains the fact that the MNO’s RAN contributes 70% of the energy consumption and therefore is not helped by today’s CDN designs.

An alternative approach, is to utilise space based data centres to store the media content which can relieve the core network delivery and the end user connectivity, with direct to handset or as backhaul community or home based hubs, thus significantly improving the energy efficiency. Such a network design would be global so as to make a significant impact on global energy consumption. The aim of this project is to understand current CDN architecture design and map onto a space based network.

Applicant Specification:

An interest in the green economy and energy conservation. An interest and understanding of media distribution and broadcast systems: Study or qualification in IT systems at BSc or MSc.

Minimum Requirements:

Passion and enthusiasm

Further details:

8 weeks minimum fixed term contract to be agreed with successful candidate. In-person Induction Event to be held on 19 June 2023, and an in-person/hybrid Showcase Event to be held at the 2023 UK Space Conference in Belfast between 21 November to 23 November. Salary £2,100 per calendar month gross, 5 days holiday to be taken during the placement.

How we work:

We strive to create a high trust environment that enables team members to bring their whole selves to work – this helps to create the foundations of an innovation culture. Our shared values are critical to this:

• We care - for our people, our partners, and our planet

• We connect - and engage with people and ideas

• We learn - and grow, as people and as an industry

Underpinning this is our belief in great teams, our combined efforts will always deliver outcomes beyond that of any individual providing we are honest through debate, experiment and reflect, and create shared resolutions in support of our purpose. Live these values, work to our principles, take ownership to deliver, and we are certain you will thrive with us.

This job description set outs the skills and experience we believe are needed to be able to do this job but, research also tells us women are much more likely than men to take this list of requirements as absolute and self-select out of the process. If you think you can deliver this role then we want to hear from you, regardless of the boxes you didn’t tick.