What happening?
The proposed EU Secure Connectivity Programme (EUSCP) for secure and reliable satellite communication services is receiving support and making good progress.
Why this is important?
Satellite communications in particular are strategic assets. The EU does not have its own satellite constellation to offer services to governments and the civil society over the EU and other areas such as Africa and the Artic. The handful number of other satellite constellations that may succeed during this decade will likely not be controlled by EU-based interests. Access to related frequencies, a scarce resources, is largely on a “first-come-first-served basis”. Thus, the proposed EUSCP is a welcome development. Ongoing geopolitical events are reinforcing its relevance.
What is in it for you?
The EU SCP will be implemented via the following activities and procurement contracts:
- construction and launch (by institutional and/or micro-launchers) of the required multi-orbital space and of the ground infrastructure
- development and integration of the quantum communication infrastructure into the secure connectivity system
- complementary activities to provide services
- exploitation activities, including the provision of governmental services and of commercial services by the private sector.
Startups and SMEs could be involved in the EUSCP as follows:
- R&DI activities via the Horizon Europe Programme (cluster 4) to develop and validate the secure connectivity system and related technologies
- as part of the public-private partnership (PPP), which should in principle foster their involvement along the entire value chain
- certain space-launch related activities and other activities.
Next steps
A political agreement on the EUSCP could be reached at EU level before end of this year. As a result, the first concrete steps for the implementation of the program may occur in 2023. The EUSCP could become operational before the end of the decade.