- ICEYE and Nokia will build secure LEO satellite communications for government and defense users
- Nations will own the satellites, ground infrastructure and end-user terminals
- The companies expect to launch the first communications satellites in 2028
ICEYE and Nokia have partnered to develop secure, sovereign broadband low Earth orbit satellite communications systems that governments can own and operate for defense, border security and emergency response missions. The Finland-based companies expect to launch the first communications satellites in 2028.
National governments will control the satellites, ground segment and ruggedized end-user terminals under the model, the companies said Thursday. The partners intend the systems to keep military forces, first responders and civil authorities connected to command and control systems when terrestrial networks are disrupted or compromised.
How Will the ICEYE-Nokia Satellite Network Support Defense Missions?
The systems are designed to provide high-throughput, low-latency coverage over high-priority operating areas. Rather than replacing existing commercial and military networks, the sovereign capability aims to supplement them with added reach, capacity and resilience.
What Will ICEYE & Nokia Bring to the Partnership?
ICEYE contributes its record of delivering sovereign satellite missions, while Nokia adds secure networking technology from its expanding defense portfolio. The companies will combine satellites, ground infrastructure and ruggedized end-user terminals, extending ICEYE’s sovereign space intelligence model into communications.
Why Are ICEYE & Nokia Pursuing Sovereign Satellite Communications?
“Nations must be able to fully own and control their communications, without dependency on a foreign commercial operator’s terms of service,” said Rafal Modrzewski, co-founder and CEO of ICEYE. He said the company delivered Poland its own radar satellite system in under a year and that working with Nokia allows ICEYE to move at a similar pace on satellite communications.
“Sovereign operations depend on the ability to sense, decide and act in real time. Physical AI makes that possible, but only with secure, resilient connectivity across land, sea, air and space,” said Justin Hotard, president and CEO of Nokia.
