SpaceX's Starlink and other satellite internet constellations are pushing the European Union to construct its own competing system.
The European Commission today laid out a €6 billion ($6.8 billion) plan to build a “space-based secure communication system” that’s designed to serve local governments, businesses, and consumers across the continent.
The goal is to ensure the EU has its own cutting-edge satellite internet constellation up in orbit when other players—such as US companies, China, and Russia—are developing their own. Without such satellites, the EU risks falling behind technologically as demand for high-speed and secure connectivity grows.
“In today's digital world, space-based connectivity is a strategic asset for EU's resilience,” the commission said. “It enables our economic power, digital leadership and technological sovereignty, competitiveness and societal progress.”
The other factor is national security. A next-generation satellite internet system can offer uninterrupted high-speed internet to any location in Europe, without the need for ground-based fiber networks. It could also offer EU member states secure connectivity without relying on technologies under the jurisdiction of other foreign governments.
Hence, the technology could help EU member states protect critical infrastructure and support crisis management and defense efforts across the continent. “These security-related solutions should be European to ensure guaranteed access in an unrestricted manner, by avoiding dependencies on third countries and reinforcing the resilience of our value chains,” the commission added in a FAQ. (Third countries are those not a part of the EU.)
The European Commission also wants to act fast on developing the satellite internet system. “There is shortage of available frequency filings and orbital slots due to the dramatic increase of mega-constellations. Absence of timely action at EU level would also endanger the competitiveness of EU industry in key technologies and markets,” the commission said.
There’s no word on the size of the EU’s satellite internet constellation. But the commission plans on kicking off initial development and deployment by next year. A fact sheet from the EU also shows initial service for the satellite internet system is slated to begin in late 2024 before full service is offered in mid-2027.
The European Union plans on contributing €2.4 billion to the project between now and 2027. Other funding will come from EU member states, the European Space Agency, and private companies. In the meantime, SpaceX's Starlink is already serving users in various European countries, including France, Spain, Germany, Poland, and Italy.