- Deutsche Telekom to develop IRIS² ground infrastructure
- Project aims to enhance Europe’s secure connectivity
What happened: Deutsche Telekom to develop ground infrastructure for EU’s IRIS² satellite system
Deutsche Telekom has announced its participation in the European Union’s IRIS² (Infrastructure for Resilience, Interconnectivity and Security via Satellite) project. The company will be responsible for designing and implementing the ground infrastructure, including advanced IT and data centre services, secure wide area networks (WAN), and a 5G core network. The IRIS² initiative aims to establish a multi-orbit satellite constellation comprising 264 low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites and 18 medium Earth orbit (MEO) satellites, providing secure communication services across Europe.
The project is a collaboration between public and private sectors, with the SpaceRISE consortium—comprising SES, Eutelsat, and Hispasat—leading the development and operation of the satellite system. Deutsche Telekom’s involvement underscores its commitment to enhancing Europe’s digital infrastructure and technological sovereignty. The IRIS² system is expected to be operational by 2030, offering services to both governmental and commercial users.
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Why it’s important
The IRIS² project represents a significant step towards strengthening Europe’s digital sovereignty and secure communication capabilities. By involving key players like Deutsche Telekom in the development of ground infrastructure, the EU aims to ensure the resilience and security of its communication networks. The satellite constellation will provide high-speed, low-latency connectivity, addressing the needs of governmental services, emergency response, and remote areas lacking reliable internet access.
This initiative also positions Europe as a competitive player in the global satellite communication arena, offering an alternative to existing systems like SpaceX’s Starlink. The collaboration between public institutions and private companies exemplifies the EU’s commitment to fostering innovation and technological advancement within the region. As the project progresses towards its 2030 operational goal, it is expected to contribute significantly to Europe’s digital infrastructure and strategic autonomy.
