STRASBOURG (Reuters) – The European Commission on Tuesday set out a 6 billion-euro ($6.8 billion) satellite communications plan, a part of a push to chop the European Union’s dependence on overseas corporations and shield key communications companies and surveillance information towards any outdoors interference.
The transfer comes amid rising considerations over Russian and Chinese navy advances in outer space and a surge in satellite launches.
Commercial operators such a Elon Musk’s SpaceX and its Starlink community that goals to launch tens of 1000’s of satellites to produce world space-based wifi have additionally contributed to a fast-growing satellite inhabitants and ensuing particles.
“Our new connectivity infrastructure will ship high-speed web entry, function a back-up to our present web infrastructure, improve our resilience and cyber safety, and present connectivity to the entire of Europe and Africa,” EU trade chief Thierry Breton stated in an announcement.
The EU proposal goals to construct and function a space-based state-of-the-art connectivity system, assist to counter cyber and electromagnetic threats and enhance the resilience of EU telecommunication infrastructures
The 6 billion euro value will probably be funded by a 2.4 billion euro contribution from the EU from 2022 till 2027, the EU funds, EU nations, the European Space Agency and personal investments.
The EU goals to launch the programme subsequent yr.
($1 = 0.8808 euros)
(Reporting by Foo Yun Chee; Editing by Lisa Shumaker)
