SMEs and start-ups want to help shape th • Table.Briefings

With the Secure Connectivity Initiative, the EU plans a sovereign satellite communications network that will also function during crises. But will young, innovative companies also get a chance to participate in the €6 billion project?

The Russian attack on Ukraine did not start with bombs and missiles, it started with a cyberattack in space. The target was the KA-SAT satellite network, which US provider Viasat uses to offer high-speed Internet via satellites in Europe and the Mediterranean countries. The attack caused outages and communications disruptions among government agencies, businesses, and other users – and not just in Ukraine. Critical infrastructure in several EU member states was also affected. Utilities in Central Europe, for example, were unable to access thousands of wind turbines. US entrepreneur Elon Musk stepped in with his satellite service Starlink, bringing Ukraine back online.

SMEs and start-ups want to help shape the EU communications network in space

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