The European Union has reached a deal to build and operate a €6bn (£5.2bn) satellite internet system, driven by the bloc's push to boost its own space and communications sectors and ensure security by cutting its reliance on foreign suppliers. 

The initiative was first proposed in February, but the 27-nation bloc only agreed to it today (18 November). 

In order to fund the scheme, the Commission wants to divert £2.4bn from various EU programmes and use unspent money from other EU projects. The private sector is expected to also contribute by providing the remaining £3.6bn. 

“Space plays a growing role in our daily lives, our economic growth, our security, and our geopolitical weight," said Thierry Breton, Commissioner for the Internal Market, when the project was first announced. 

"Our new connectivity infrastructure will deliver high-speed internet access, serve as a back-up to our current internet infrastructure, increase our resilience and...