Podcast: Iris² and the European Space Programme

Key Takeaways

• Iris² aims to provide EU-controlled direct‑to‑device satellite service
• WRC‑27 agenda dedicates 80% to satellite spectrum decisions
• EU seeks strategic autonomy against non‑European satellite operators
• D2D capability could boost European commercial and defense communications
• Iris² complements broader EU satellite constellation roadmap

Summary

Dominic Hayes, spectrum manager for the European Commission, discussed the Iris² satellite programme on a PolicyTracker podcast, highlighting its role within the broader European Space Programme. Iris² aims to provide a European‑controlled direct‑to‑device (D2D) communications network, offering an alternative to non‑European constellations such as Starlink. The upcoming World Radiocommunication Conference 2027 (WRC‑27) will allocate the spectrum crucial for Iris², with 80 % of agenda items focused on satellite issues. Successful spectrum outcomes could accelerate deployment and strengthen Europe’s strategic autonomy in space.

Pulse Analysis

The European Union is intensifying its push for a sovereign space capability, and the Iris² constellation sits at the heart of that ambition. Unlike the commercial behemoth Starlink, Iris² is designed as a government‑backed network that can deliver direct‑to‑device (D2D) connectivity across the continent. By keeping the architecture under EU control, policymakers hope to safeguard critical communications for defence, public safety and emerging business services. The project also signals a broader shift toward European‑owned infrastructure, reducing reliance on non‑European operators and reinforcing strategic autonomy.

WRC‑27, the upcoming World Radiocommunication Conference, will allocate the spectrum that underpins satellite constellations, and its agenda is dominated by satellite issues—about 80 % of the items. For Iris², the outcome could unlock frequencies needed for robust D2D links, while also setting rules that level the playing field against U.S. providers seeking to expand in Europe. Industry observers note that favorable spectrum decisions would accelerate deployment timelines and lower costs, making the EU’s satellite market more attractive to private investors and downstream users alike.

The commercial upside of Iris² extends beyond government traffic; telecom operators, logistics firms and IoT developers are eyeing low‑latency, on‑device links that bypass terrestrial networks. If the EU can deliver a reliable D2D service, it could spawn a new ecosystem of European‑centric applications, from autonomous vehicle coordination to remote health monitoring. Moreover, the programme dovetails with other EU initiatives such as the Galileo navigation system and the Copernicus Earth‑observation constellation, creating synergies that amplify data sharing and resilience across the continent’s digital infrastructure.