The European Commission has finalized plans for IRIS, the EU’s sovereign satellite broadband network and signed agreements with European manufacturers and the European Space Agency (ESA).
The constellation will include 348 satellites, 66 more than originally planned, to strengthen Europe’s capabilities in defense, security and emergency services. The first satellites are expected to launch in 2029, with services following later that year.
IRIS will initially serve EU governments and partners such as Norway and Iceland, supporting emergency response, humanitarian missions and border surveillance. In the future, the network could also provide connectivity to businesses and consumers in areas with limited or unreliable traditional networks.
Source: GSMArena
