Plans to boost EU´s space and communication sector by launching over 170 low orbit satellites between 2025 and 2027
The European Union has announced an initiative to build and operate its own satellite internet system. According to a report in Euronews, representatives from the European Parliament and the European Council agreed to go ahead with this deal on Thursday, November 17.
The Commission aims to invest over € 6 billion, the report states, with an aim to boost its own sector of space and communications in order to cut its dependence on foreign suppliers. This comes at a time when both China and Russia are making advances in outer space with an increase in their satellite launches.
The report states that the EU plans to start working on the project by February 2023. The setting up of the satellite internet system will also allow the EU countries to speed up access to their own broadband service. The report also said that the EU also plans to offer these services to Africa, which would allow it to offer an alternative to the Chinese.
The new satellite internet system will also result in the launch of over 170 low orbiting satellites between the year 2025 and 2027, the report adds. These could help create a network that could be a backup for networks on land in case of outages caused by major disasters. This service will also allow access to areas without internet connectivity.
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