EU Plans $11 Billion in Satellites in Counter to Musk’s Starlink

The European Union is committing to build a €10.6 billion ($11.13 billion) constellation of satellites that will provide the bloc with encrypted global internet connectivity in a bid to provide a homegrown alternative to Elon Musk’s Starlink.

The EU on Monday signed contracts to begin work on IRIS2, a 290-satellite multi-orbital network slated to be fully operational by 2030 that can serve European governments and militaries, as well as private customers. But it’s a very late start for the bloc as it tries to close the gap with Starlink, which boasts more than 6,000 satellites and claims customers in some 100 countries.