EU launches plans for satellite-based high-speed internet

The EU has set out a €6 billion plan to provide high-speed internet access via a space-based secure satellite system which it says will "safeguard the efficiency and security of EU assets and develop European cutting-edge space technology".

The bloc's space programme is already an important source of data used in applications ranging from transport to agriculture as well as crisis response and climate change.

Read more: ABB tech could monitor the Earth's climate from orbit

"Our new connectivity infrastructure will deliver high-speed internet access, serve as a back-up to our current internet infrastructure, increase our resilience and cyber security, and provide connectivity to the whole of Europe and Africa," said Internal Market Commissioner Thierry Breton. 

"It will be a truly pan-European project allowing our many start-ups and Europe as a whole to be at the forefront of technological innovation."

Brussels is viewing so-called "space-based connectivity" as an important strategic asset for digitalisation. The Commission has said that the planned communication system has two main purposes.

Firstly, it says the system will ensure long-term worldwide access to satellite communication services and offer support to critical infrastructure.

It also says the system will allow the private sector to offer a range of new commercial services such as internet access in remote areas and former "communication dead zones". 

The system will also be used to connect regions that are of strategic interest to the bloc, such as Africa and the Arctic.

Of the €6 billion total cost, Brussels says the EU's contribution will be €2.4 billion between 2022 and 2027, and that the funding will come from different sources of the public sector including the EU budget, Member States, the European Space Agency and private sector investments.

Read more: UK to invest £1.4bn into space defence

In a statement, the EU said that the initiative will "boost the competitiveness of the space ecosystem" as well as bring in a gross value added €17-24 billion and new jobs in its space industry. 

It added that the project will also be of benefit to EU citizens, due to provisions of more reliable high-speed internet connections.

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