The European Union To Spend $11.1 Billion On Their Starlink Rival

To ensure internet security for its member states, the European Union is investing $11.1 billion into project IRIS (Infrastructure for Resilience, Interconnectivity and Security by Satellite). This project aims to rival Starlink by launching over 300 satellites into low and medium earth orbits for the purpose of providing a secure internet connection.

Project IRIS: Secure Internet Connection For The European Union

IRIS is a public-private partnership between the European Union government and SpaceRISE. In order to see the actualization of this partnership, both parties are to pull funds into the launching of satellites into space.

The European Union on its part is to fund 61% of the $11.1 billion in this deal, with SpaceRISE handling 39% of the funding. This partnership will put the $11.1 billion towards the development, testing, and launching of over 300 satellites (264 low Earth orbit satellites and 18 medium Earth orbit satellites) into space.

The purpose of this project is not just about rivalling Starlink but ensuring that the European Union boosts its digital sovereignty. All 300 satellites launched into space will help provide the European Union government with secure communication channels solely controlled by its member states.

By removing its reliance on foreign firms like Starlink for internet connection, the European Union might be able to boost digital security. While SpaceRISE, a partner in this business, is a consortium, all members of the joint venture are European firms.

Firms that make up SpaceRISE are Eutelsat, Hispasat, and SES with Eutelsat acting as “Consortium System Development Prime, the technical authority within the consortium.” Following the signing of the partnership agreement between the European Union and SpaceRISE, we expect all 300 satellites to be in service by 2030.

Does IRIS Have What It Takes To Compete With Starlink?

Elon Musk’s Starlink which was launched in February 2018 has come a long way. Currently, the satellite internet-providing firm has over 6000 satellites in the constellation, and it operates in over 100 countries.

Starlink also operates in most member states of the European Union, so IRIS has a lot to go up against. However, while IRIS will be a rival to Starlink, the European Union might have a clever way to pull this off.

From reports on IRIS’ operation once in service, we see that it’ll aim to serve the European Union government. IRIS promotes itself as a more secure source of internet connectivity in Europe.

If at launch the IRIS constellation of internet-providing satellites can deliver on not just security but also connection speed, then IRIS might have a fighting ground against Starlink. Another area that IRIS will need to work on in order to compete with Starlink is its pricing is made available for use to the public.

If these boxes are properly ticked by 2030 when the IRIS constellation is to be in service, then Starlink might have serious competition in Europe. For now, all we can do is monitor the progress of this project over the next 5 years.