L’Europa sviluppa il piano B per contrastare la dipendenza dai satelliti Starlink

#EU Scrambles for Starlink Plan B as Satellite Drama Unfolds over Ukraine

Europe is quietly preparing a digital escape route from Starlink. As tensions flare between Washington and Kyiv, EU leaders are no longer content to sit back and let Elon Musk hold the keys to Ukraine’s internet lifeline. They’re now scrambling to roll out a backup, just in case things take a darker turn.

Starlink, Musk’s vast web of satellites, has been a godsend for Ukraine since Russia’s invasion began in 2022. With over 7,000 satellites zipping around the planet and more than 40,000 terminals on the ground in Ukraine alone, it’s been the backbone of military communications. But there’s a catch. A Reuters report recently lifted the lid on a worrying new twist, revealing that U.S. officials may threaten to pull the plug unless Ukraine agrees to part with some of its precious mineral wealth.

That’s put the wind-up Brussels. Suddenly, relying on a single private company, no matter how flashy or futuristic, looks like a very risky business. In response, EU governments have quietly begun working with four European satellite companies to ensure Ukraine can stay connected, even if Starlink vanishes from the sky.

Top of the list is Eutelsat, a French-British operator led by CEO Eva Berneke. The company might be modest by Musk’s standards, with a £2.4 billion market cap and £1.1 billion in annual revenue, but it’s now in “very positive” talks with Italy and has serious plans to beam its service into Ukraine. The hope is to match Starlink’s terminal numbers within months, a bold ambition if ever there was one.

They’re not alone. UK-based Inmarsat, Luxembourg’s SES and Spain’s Hisdesat are also in the mix, all ready to step up if needed. Behind the scenes, Europe’s satellite scene is buzzing with activity. Eyes are also turning to future projects like IRIS, a European internet constellation due to launch in 2030, and something called Project Bromo, a collaboration involving Airbus, Leonardo and Thales Alenia Space.

It won’t be easy. Replacing Starlink’s reach and speed is a tall order. But Europe has woken up to the uncomfortable truth that digital independence is now a matter of security, not convenience. With war on its doorstep and allies showing signs of strain, the EU isn’t just building satellites. It’s building insurance.

What takes the US years, for the EU is decade! And the EU program will still cover mostly europe, the US programs can cover many areas of the world!