The European competitor to Starlink is underway.

The European Union has formalized an agreement for the creation of its IRIS² satellite communication constellation, which will consist of a total of 290 satellites operating in medium and low Earth orbit. This new system, which will compete with Starlink, will provide secure connectivity to government users, private companies, and European citizens, while also providing high-speed internet access in areas currently lacking this service. The agreement, which is valued at approximately 10.6 billion euros (around 11 billion dollars), is expected to be operational by 2030.

The SpaceRISE consortium, led by European satellite network operators such as SES, Eutelsat, and Hispasat, and supported by European subcontractors in satcom like Airbus and Deutsche Telekom, has been awarded a 12-year concession contract for the development, launch, and operation of the IRIS² constellation. This project focuses on Infrastructure for Resilience, Interconnectivity, and Security via Satellite.

Henna Virkkunen, Executive Vice President for Technological Sovereignty, Security, and Democracy, stated that "this modern constellation will protect our critical infrastructures, connect the most remote areas, and enhance Europe's strategic autonomy. By partnering with the SpaceRISE consortium, we are demonstrating the power of public-private collaboration to drive innovation and deliver tangible benefits to all Europeans."

In another context, in September, Jessica Rosenworcel, chairwoman of the FCC, expressed her desire to foster more competition against Starlink, the service from Elon Musk that has launched nearly 7,000 satellites since 2018. Rosenworcel argued that "our economy does not benefit from monopolies... every communications market with competition is stronger, we see lower prices and more innovation, and honestly, space should not be an exception."