Deutsche Telekom says it is strengthening Europe’s connectivity by participating in the Iris² satellite project.

The German telco is focusing on the core topics of connectivity and IT infrastructure in a project that aims to provide civil protection, surveillance, crisis management and networking of critical infrastructure.

With the Iris² (Infrastructure for Resilience, Interconnectivity and Security via Satellite) satellite constellation, the European Union wants to improve Europe’s digital infrastructure with modern satellite technology.

The project aims to build a powerful, secure and independent communication network. Above all, however, the satellite constellation strengthens Europe’s technological sovereignty. Deutsche Telekom says it will support the project with its role as the leading telecommunications company in Europe.

The telco is contributing to the project with its core topics of connectivity and IT infrastructure. The object of the contract is the design of IT and data centre services, secure networks (WAN), and a 5G core network. Connectivity from space will enhance different domains in the future. These include, for example, surveillance, civil protection, crisis management, protection of critical infrastructure, and the issues of national security and resilience in Europe. There will also be a broadband offer for B2B users.

“Our continent needs connectivity that is both secure and modern,” said Claudia Nemat, board member at Deutsche Telekom. With Iris², we achieve exactly that and strengthen Europe’s technological sovereignty. Telekom is contributing to the cross-border digital infrastructure of tomorrow, always with the focus on people.”

Iris² aims to address urgent long-term problems in the areas of security, safety and resilience. By providing services to government users and bridging connectivity gaps across the European Union, Iris² underpins Europe’s autonomy. In addition, the programme already has the needs of the future in mind and thus lays the foundation for a more digitalised Europe.

The satellite network is intended to ensure broadband availability in rural and urban areas for public and private users. The system will include 282 satellites in different orbits. Of these, 264 will be in low Earth orbit (LEO), which will be responsible for communication services, and 18 in medium-Earth orbit (MEO), which will add global coverage and dedicated services.

The SpaceRise (www.spacerise.eu) consortium will design, deliver and operate the Iris² multi-orbit connectivity system representing a collaboration between public and private actors. The consortium consists of satellite network operators SES, Eutelsat and Hispasat, as well as Deutsche Telekom (www.telekom.com) and other subcontractors from the satcom ecosystem.