The European Union has officially entered the satellite internet race with its newly announced Infrastructure for Resilience, Interconnectivity, and Security by Satellite (IRIS²) program. This ambitious project, developed collaboratively with SpaceRISE—a consortium of leading European satellite operators and aerospace firms—aims to challenge SpaceX’s Starlink in the satellite connectivity market.
This 10.6 billion euros ($11 billion) initiative will deploy a constellation of 290 satellites, blending Medium Earth Orbit (MEO) and Low Earth Orbit (LEO) systems, to provide high-speed internet and secure connectivity. With its first launch slated for 2029, IRIS² marks Europe’s significant push to utilize satellite-based communication technologies.
IRIS² is set to serve both governmental and civilian users, offering secure and reliable internet connectivity, especially to underserved areas. Unlike Starlink’s extensive network of over 7,000 LEO satellites covering more than 100 countries, IRIS² will focus exclusively on Europe with its fleet of 264 LEO and 26 MEO satellites. This smaller-scale approach is highlighted by interlinked satellite technology, which reduces the necessity for a massive constellation, yet maintains efficient high-speed internet services.
Although IRIS² won’t rival Starlink’s global reach, it seeks to tackle Europe-specific challenges with precision, making it a targeted alternative for users across the continent. Its versatility is enhanced by the European Space Agency (ESA)'s envisioning of IRIS² as capable of serving diverse sectors.
For government use, IRIS² will assist with border and maritime surveillance, crisis management, and protection of key infrastructure. Defence and security applications play central roles, aligning with Europe’s growing emphasis on technological independence. Civilians will benefit through mobile and fixed broadband, cloud services, and connectivity solutions for transport. Industries like maritime, aviation, and energy management are also expected to gain from IRIS², along with efforts to bridge the digital divide especially in rural areas.
Backed by significant investments, the 12-year concession contract for IRIS² involves collaboration from the EU, the ESA, and the private stakeholders within the SpaceRISE consortium, which includes major players like SES, Eutelsat, Hispasat, Airbus, and Deutsche Telekom. The EU will serve as the anchor customer, creating a stable base for its operations. With defined applications and substantial budgetary support, IRIS² signifies a calculated effort to strengthen Europe’s technological capabilities.
While IRIS² does not aim to dethrone Starlink globally, it positions itself as a strong contender within the European satellite internet market with its regional focus and secure connectivity features. Europe has reacted to the dominance of Elon Musk’s Starlink, which has quickly risen to prominence, providing high-speed connectivity to underserved regions and playing pivotal roles, such as aiding Ukraine's military communications.
The concerns about reliance on foreign-controlled infrastructure have prompted Europe to challenge Musk's monopoly. The tensions have magnified from Musk's regulatory clashes with the EU, along with reports of his alleged contacts with Russian officials during the Ukraine crisis. The dependency on Starlink's services has raised alarm bells about the vulnerabilities these foreign assets create within Europe.
Starlink currently enjoys the advantage, boasting 4 million subscribers globally, with over 450,000 within Europe alone, aided by partnerships with large corporations like Royal Caribbean and T-Mobile. The service is also preparing to provide direct-to-phone connectivity, a major feature upgrade which could help entrench its market position.
The next decade is critically poised to determine whether IRIS² can effectively level the playing field or if it will struggle to keep pace with the rapid advancements led by Starlink and Amazon's upcoming Project Kuiper, which is set to launch its first satellites next year. The competition is ramping up as Europe takes bold steps toward securing its place within the growing satellite internet arena.
IRIS² signals Europe’s resolve not to remain passive amid foreign dominance and underlines the region's commitment to advancing its capabilities. With its targeted deployment strategy and focus on security, Europe hopes to chart its own course within the rapidly changing satellite communication ecosystem.