Written by Clément Evroux (3rd edition, updated on 03.02.2023).
Satellite communication is a strategic asset for governments and civil society alike. Complementary to terrestrial networks, it can contribute to seamless digital communication, even when such networks are absent or disrupted.
Today, the EU does not have a dedicated infrastructure (including space and ground segments) to offer satellite communication services to governments, the economy or civil society. Several EU global partners and competitors are investing in parallel in such capabilities.
On 15 February 2022, the European Commission presented a proposal to improve the resilience of EU communication services by developing and operating a multi-orbital connectivity infrastructure (with both space and ground segments), based on a public-partnership model. Governmental services would be operational from 2025, and private services at a later stage.
The European Parliament and the Council reached a provisional agreement on the proposal on 22 November 2022. Parliament must now vote on the draft legislative act as modified by that agreement before the regulation can become law.
Versions
- February 2022: EU secure connectivity programme: Building a multi-orbital satellite constellation (3rd edition)
Proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing the Union Secure Connectivity Programme for the period 2023-2027 |
Committee responsible: | Industry, Research and Energy (ITRE) | COM(2022) 57 15.2.2022 |
Rapporteur: | Christophe Grudler (Renew, France) | 2022/0039(COD) |
Shadow rapporteurs: | Massimiliano Salini (EPP, Italy) Ivo Hristov (S&D, Bulgaria) Niklas Nienass (Greens/EFA, Germany) Matteo Adinolfi (ID, Italy) Evžen Tošenovský (ECR, Czechia) Marc Botenga (The Left, Belgium) | Ordinary legislative procedure (COD) (Parliament and Council on equal footing – formerly ‘co-decision’) |
Next steps expected: Final first-reading vote in plenary |

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