Europe is moving forward with plans for a sovereign broadband constellation, which aims to design and operate over 290 satellites by 2030.

Project Funding

The European Commission had initially committed to funding 60% of the project's estimated budget of 6 billion euros, but recent reports suggest that the budget has increased to around 10 billion euros.

Private Industry Contributions

The project is expected to receive funding from private industry, including satellite fleet operators such as SES, Eutelsat, and Hispasat, as well as contributions from the European Space Agency and various EU member states.

Inclusion of Smaller Companies

The European Commission is also emphasizing the inclusion of smaller companies in the project's supply chain to foster economic diversification and stimulate innovation.

Strategic Goals

The advancement of the project aligns with Europe's strategic goals of enhancing security, interconnectivity, and resilience in satellite communications.

Reducing Reliance on External Providers

By establishing a sovereign broadband constellation, Europe aims to secure its communications capabilities and reduce reliance on external providers.

Potential Model for Future Collaborations

The successful implementation of the project could serve as a model for future collaborations in the space sector.