The European Commission has confirmed it will sign contracts with leading space firms on the continent to build a multi-orbit satellite internet constellation capable of providing broadband internet from space.

The IRIS constellation (Infrastructure for Resilience, Interconnectivity and Security by Satellite) is currently planned for deployment by 2027 and will compete with other constellations outside of the control of the EU, such as Starlink, OneWeb or Amazon’s forthcoming Kuiper project.

Once deployed, it will provide secure connectivity services to the EU and its member states, as well as broadband connectivity for governmental authorities, private companies and European citizens, while ensuring high-speed internet broadband to cope with connectivity dead zones.

The European Commission said it will contract the SpaceRISE consortium – which includes firms SES, Eutelsat and Hispasat – to develop, deploy and operate the satellite system. The EU has previously committed to contributing...