The European Commission has finalized an implementation plan for the EU's sovereign IRIS² satellite broadband service, moving beyond the planning stage toward full-scale deployment. An agreement was signed with European manufacturers, the European Space Agency (ESA), and other partners following negotiations that began in January. The deal confirms the detailed constellation design, satellite construction plans, ground infrastructure, and launch services, along with target pricing and private operator investments.

Under the agreement, IRIS² will consist of 348 satellites—66 more than originally planned—enhancing capabilities for defense, security, and emergency services. The ESA states this reinforcement increases secure governmental capacity by 60 percent within the EU and 54 percent globally, strengthening Europe's crisis response abilities. The first satellites are scheduled to launch in 2029, with services rolling out progressively from that year.

Unlike SpaceX's Starlink, which operates over 10,000 satellites for commercial use, IRIS² focuses on secure government communications for the EU and partners like Norway and Iceland, supporting emergencies, humanitarian aid, and border surveillance. It will later expand to businesses and citizens in underserved areas.