The European Union has signed a €10.6 billion deal to launch its own satellite network, IRIS², which will compete with Starlink.
The plan is to launch 290 satellites by 2030 to provide secure and high-speed internet to both government users and private companies, as well as European citizens.
The IRIS² constellation will have satellites in both low and medium Earth orbit. It aims to bring internet to remote areas and improve communication security.
The European Space Agency (ESA) says that IRIS² will be able to connect without needing thousands of satellites, unlike Starlink, which has already launched around 7,000 satellites.
The project will be led by SpaceRISE, a group of European satellite operators including SES, Eutelsat, and Hispasat.
The group will work with companies like Airbus and Deutsche Telekom. The goal of IRIS² is to increase Europe’s independence in space communications.
Henna Virkkunen, an EU official, said, “This cutting-edge constellation will protect our critical infrastructures, connect our most remote areas, and increase Europe’s strategic autonomy.”
The deal is expected to boost competition in the satellite internet market. In September, FCC chair Jessica Rosenworcel called for more competition to Starlink, saying it would lead to lower prices and more innovation.
IRIS² is expected to be fully operational by 2030, offering a new option for satellite internet in Europe.
