ConnectedCosmos: Europe's Sovereign Space Internet

Open Cosmos has revealed its proposed sovereign broadband constellation for Europe, named ConnectedCosmos. This network is designed to integrate point-to-point broadband services with direct-to-device connectivity for IoT devices, all delivered from low Earth orbit. The system will employ optical inter-satellite links, reducing dependence on ground stations and subsea cables, and will also connect with existing Earth observation satellites.

This approach aims to provide near real-time data delivery, enabling faster operational responses for disaster management, infrastructure monitoring, and security. The announcement follows the launch of two prototype satellites to activate Ka-band spectrum filings, with strict International Telecommunication Union rules requiring significant satellite deployment by June and September of 2026 to retain frequency rights.

ConnectedCosmos aims to offer a European alternative in a market dominated by non-European constellations like Starlink. Policymakers in Europe are increasingly focused on reducing reliance on foreign infrastructure for critical services due to geopolitical concerns. Open Cosmos positions its network as complementary to the EU's IRIS² initiative, emphasizing the importance of strategic autonomy in connectivity for government and critical infrastructure users.