Nokia, ICEYE to build sovereign LEO satellite communications systems

ICEYE, a European provider of sovereign intelligence from space, and Nokia have announced a partnership to develop secure, sovereign and high-performance broadband low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite communications systems for Governments.

The companies said the systems will support a range of Government missions, including defense, border security, emergency services and disaster response. The first communications satellites under the partnership are expected to be launched in 2028.

The jointly developed systems are designed to give Governments ownership and control of the satellites, ground infrastructure and user terminals. The systems will provide targeted, high-throughput and low-latency connectivity over priority mission areas. They are intended to complement existing military and commercial communications networks rather than replace them, adding connectivity, capacity and resilience for operations in challenging environments.

The partnership combines ICEYE’s experience in sovereign satellite missions with Nokia’s expertise in secure networking technologies and its expanding defense business. The companies plan to integrate satellites, ground infrastructure and ruggedised end-user terminals as part of the offering.