On August 10, the EU moved its Starlink alternative IRIS² programme into the build phase, signing an implementation agreement in Europe with SpaceRISE, ESA and industry partners to deploy 348 satellites starting from 2029 through secure, government-focused communications technology.
The European Union (EU) has officially moved its multi-billion-euro secure satellite programme, IRIS², into full scale deployment, after the European Commission and the SpaceRISE consortium signed an implementation agreement on August 7.
The signing will bring forward the first launches to 2029, with services expected to appear gradually as more spacecraft reach orbit, bringing the satellite broadband Europe Starlink alternatives one step closer to fruition.
Will Europe Secure a Satellite Network?
IRIS² is designed for governments, emergency teams, defense users and critical infrastructure operators. The system will provide encrypted links when networks are damaged or unavailable, making it a security-focused Starlink alternative rather than a consumer service.
The programme’s main constellation will now comprise 348 satellites – up from the previously planned 290 – made up of 330 in low Earth orbit (LEO) and 18 in medium Earth orbit (MEO), giving satellite internet Europe a mix of coverage, capacity and resilience across orbital layers.
An additional layer of 66 high-capacity LEO satellites will be added for defense, security, and emergency response communications, according to the European Commission. ESA says the extra spacecraft should improve secure government capacity, strengthening EU satellite internet for public services that must remain connected during a crisis.
The programme is now expected to cost around $17.95 billion (€15.6 billion) – up from an earlier estimate of about €10.55 billion – funded through a mix of EU budget resources for 2028-2034 and contributions from member states, including commitments of up to $2.3 billion (€2 billion) from Spain, around $760 million (€656 million) from Poland, and around $580 million (€500 million) from Hungary.
The Commission said the constellation would increase secure governmental communications capacity by approximately 60% within the EU, and 54% globally.
Eutelsat will play a role in the low Earth orbit network, while SES will provide the medium Earth orbit satellites. The debate around Eutelsat vs Starlink reflects two approaches: European strategic infrastructure and a commercial network.
Technology will be central to IRIS². Advanced antennas, flexible beam control and 5G non-terrestrial networking are expected to direct capacity where it is needed most, helping satellite broadband Europe support emergency teams and remote operations.
SpaceRISE members Eutelsat, SES, and Hispasat will work with European manufacturers on spacecraft and ground infrastructure. ESA will support technical development and validation, helping internet via satellite Europe rely more on technology, engineering and manufacturing based in the region.
Europe’s Starlink alternative will therefore begin operating after Starlink has built years of experience and a much larger constellation.
Security and Competition Drive Europe’s Plans
The war in Ukraine showed how important satellite links can become when ground networks are damaged. It also raised questions about relying on foreign private companies for critical communications, increasing interest in satellite internet Europe that the region can control.
Starlink already operates at a greater scale, and continued Starlink satellite deployment gives SpaceX an advantage in coverage and experience. Europe is therefore focusing not on satellite numbers, but on security, reliability, and control.
IRIS² is being built as a competitor to Starlink with a different starting point. Its first customers are expected to be governments, defense bodies, border services, and critical sectors such as transport and energy, rather than households seeking everyday broadband.
For European policymakers, ownership matters. A domestic system could reduce the risk that vital communications are affected by commercial choices or political disputes outside Europe, which is why the Starlink alternative is being treated as strategic infrastructure.
Eutelsat CEO Jean-François Fallacher confirmed the agreement alongside the company’s full-year results, calling it the point at which the programme’s build phase formally begins. The Eutelsat vs Starlink comparison will likely grow as the network moves closer to service.
IRIS² could later reach businesses and communities where fibre or mobile networks are weak. That would broaden satellite internet Europe beyond government use while keeping secure public communications, emergency response and infrastructure protection at the center.
The project could strengthen Europe’s satellite industry by supporting manufacturers, ground stations, software developers, and secure communications specialists. In time, users in poorly connected areas may gain access to internet like Starlink without depending entirely on a foreign constellation.
IRIS² still faces high costs, technical challenges and strong competition. But if launches begin as planned in 2029, the Starlink alternative have the potential to provide Europe a secure network built around European technology, while creating a foundation for wider commercial services.
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