Deutsche Telekom is taking a significant step by participating in the EU satellite program IRIS², which aims to establish a European alternative to the US-based Starlink.

This initiative is part of the European Commission's broader strategy to enhance technological sovereignty and secure communications across Europe.

A key motivation behind the IRIS² project is the EU's desire to reduce its reliance on US satellite operators, particularly in light of security and technological concerns.

The total investment for the IRIS² project is estimated at around 11 billion euros, with 7 billion euros coming from EU funding and 4 billion euros sourced from private sector partners.

The project will deploy a constellation of 282 satellites along with a ground segment, aiming to enhance Internet and mobile communications, with a target operational date set for 2030.

As part of its involvement, Deutsche Telekom will focus on developing advanced IT and data center services, secure WAN networks, and a 5G core network to support the satellite system.

The European consortium SpaceRISE, which includes Deutsche Telekom along with SES, Eutelsat, and Hispasat, has been awarded the contract for the IRIS² project by the European Commission.

The IRIS² project is designed to support a variety of applications, including surveillance, crisis management, and the protection of critical infrastructure within Europe.

Recent developments in the satellite market, such as the merger of Eutelsat and OneWeb and the proposed acquisition of Intelsat by SES, highlight the evolving landscape of satellite communications.