Rivada Space Networks GmbH, a global network company launching a constellation of 600 low-earth-orbit satellites (LEO) to enable secure, global connectivity for governments and enterprises, today announced it has joined the EU Secure Connectivity Programme.

The need for secure and resilient global connectivity increases with the digitization of the economy and society and increasing geopolitical and cybersecurity threats. The European Commission is proposing an ambitious plan for an EU space-based secure communication system that will ensure worldwide uninterrupted access to secure and cost-effective satellite communication services for the protection of critical infrastructures, surveillance and crisis management. It will also allow for the provisioning of commercial services by the private sector to enable advanced, reliable and fast connections for all citizens and businesses across Europe.

German company Rivada Space Networks has submitted its contribution to the Preliminary Market Consultation of the EU Secure Connectivity Programme outlining key attributes of the Rivada Space Network’s laser-linked LEO constellation architecture. These include global reach, ultra-security, resilience and low latency. A firm believer in common infrastructure platforms for public use, Rivada is also proposing to use their Open Access Wireless Marketplace platform to optimize the efficient use of the multi-orbit infrastructure capacity among the member countries and stakeholders in the project.

Clemens Kaiser, Chief Programme Officer at Rivada Space Networks commented: “We reviewed the requirements and identified an absolute need to add LEO to this multi-orbit constellation approach, with Ka-band delivering the optimal solution in terms of high-throughput networking.”

Rivada Space Networks Chairman Declan Ganley said: “We can ensure extra secure connectivity and the highest data sovereignty as our space network connects any two points in the world via intersatellite laser links, avoiding terrestrial or non-terrestrial infrastructures or the internet. This allows users to communicate through a single global private network running entirely over the constellation without any terrestrial touchpoint other than the user terminals or secure cloud insertion points. The physical separation at the infrastructure level significantly increases cybersecurity and data sovereignty and does so at a global scale. Furthermore, this makes our network disaster resilient since it is independent from any other infrastructure.”

He further added: “Security and Open Access are two of the foundational elements of Rivada’s vision of a secure and accessible digital future for all. We aim to leverage the strengths of our satellite communication system in combination with our unique, patented Open Access Wireless Market Platform to enable an efficient use of spectrum and facilitate a fair distribution of capacity to member states. We are proud to be joining the EU’s multi-stakeholder Secure Connectivity Programme, mobilizing the space and technology sector to provide an independent and secure communications infrastructure for Europe.”