IRIS²: The EU Launches Market Consultation for Satellite Communication Terminals and Advances Secure Connectivity Strategy
On 4 July 2025, the European Commission opened a Preliminary Market Consultation (PMC) aimed at collecting feedback from industry stakeholders on the development of satellite communication user terminals compatible with the EU’s secure connectivity initiative, IRIS². This consultation, jointly managed by the Commission, the European Space Agency (ESA), and the European Union Agency for the Space Programme (EUSPA), will remain open until 15 September 2025. It is a critical step in the roll-out of the IRIS² programme, which represents a central pillar in the EU's effort to ensure sovereign, resilient, and secure satellite-based communications for governmental and commercial applications.
IRIS² — Infrastructure for Resilience, Interconnectivity and Security by Satellite — is a multi-orbital satellite constellation composed of 290 satellites, combining Medium Earth Orbit (MEO) and Low Earth Orbit (LEO) assets. It is designed to deliver low-latency, high-bandwidth connectivity to public authorities, businesses, and citizens across the EU, including coverage for remote and underserved regions. Operational deployment is proceeding incrementally, with initial services in 2025 through GOVSATCOM, pooling Member States’ satellite capabilities. Full-scale EU-owned infrastructure-based services are scheduled to become available by 2030.
The Preliminary Market Consultation specifically seeks input on the current and future technological readiness of user terminals, including their cost structure, delivery timelines, and integration capabilities with terrestrial networks. Stakeholders are also invited to provide views on legal frameworks, standardisation, and product roadmaps. Two distinct questionnaires are available via the EUSurvey platform, addressing both radiofrequency and optical user terminal technologies. Confidential inputs will be protected under non-disclosure agreements where applicable. Bi-lateral meetings may also be arranged upon request with participation from the Commission, ESA, and EUSPA.
Beyond its technical and procurement dimensions, IRIS² is positioned as a strategic response to growing hybrid and cyber threats and as a key driver of European digital sovereignty. The programme will support governmental missions in surveillance, border control, crisis management, and diplomatic communications. It will also enable a broad range of commercial services, from smart grids and remote healthcare to maritime and aviation connectivity. The constellation will integrate 5G technologies, advanced cryptography, and secure-by-design infrastructure standards, setting a benchmark for future satellite systems globally.
As global demand for secure and autonomous connectivity rises, IRIS² underscores the EU’s ambition to become a technology-setter rather than a follower. With its strong emphasis on dual-use innovation and industrial autonomy, the programme is expected to catalyse the emergence of a new European space-industrial ecosystem, particularly by mobilising New Space actors. The Commission, supported by ESA and EUSPA, will supervise all implementation phases through an Integrated Programme Team. The IRIS² system thus stands at the intersection of technological innovation, strategic autonomy, and European competitiveness, enabling the continent to respond effectively to both civil and defence needs in an increasingly contested global space environment.