Europe finalizes plans for its 'sovereign' Starlink competitor
The EU's sovereign satellite broadband service is now moving towards full-scale deployment.
The European Commission has finalized plans for a sovereign satellite broadband service, IRIS², signaling a shift from mere planning to full-scale deployment. The project has added 66 more satellites to its constellation, bringing the total to 348 in low Earth orbit. This expansion was confirmed through negotiations with European manufacturers, the European Space Agency (ESA), and other partners, starting in January.
IRIS²'s main objective is to provide secure and reliable connectivity for government users in the EU and participating countries like Norway and Iceland, particularly during critical operations such as emergencies, humanitarian aid, and border surveillance. While the constellation's size is dwarfed by SpaceX's Starlink, which boasts over 10,000 satellites, IRIS²'s design focuses on defense, security, and emergency services.
The service will commence launches in 2029 and become fully operational from the same year, offering businesses and citizens access to reliable connectivity in underserved areas.
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