The European Union Agrees to Build a Satellite Internet System of IDR 959 Trillion, to Compete with China

The European Union will soon build its own satellite internet line. (photo: twitter @Europarl_EN ·)

JAKARTA - The European Union has reached an agreement on a satellite internet system worth 6 billion euros (IDR 959 trillion), driven by the bloc's desire to boost its own space and communications sector and ensure security by cutting its dependence on foreign suppliers.

Representatives of the European Parliament and the European Council, which comprises 27 countries, approved the deal on Thursday, November 17. The European Commission announced their initiative to build and operate a satellite internet system in February.

The EU scheme comes amid growing concern about Russian and Chinese military advances in space and a spike in satellite launches.

Having its own satellite internet system could help the bloc accelerate the rollout of broadband internet in Europe while it would also include Africa, allowing the EU to offer countries there an internet alternative to compete with China.

Space-based internet networks can back up the terrestrial network in the event of a major outage or disaster, and offer connections in places not covered by traditional internet service providers.

The EU Commission wants to divert 2.4 billion euros from various EU programs and use unspent money from other EU projects, while the private sector is expected to add the remaining 3.6 billion euros to the program.

Initial development and deployment of the satellite could start next year, leading to full-service high-level encryption called quantum cryptography in 2028.

The proposed satellite internet system could lead to the construction and launch of up to 170 low orbit satellites between 2025 and 2027.