Nokia and ICEYE to develop sovereign satellite communication networks for governments

Nokia and space technology firm ICEYE have announced a strategic partnership to develop secure, sovereign low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite communication systems. The initiative aims to provide governments and defense organizations with independent, high-performance connectivity that remains functional when terrestrial networks are compromised.

The venture focuses on delivering a complete system where national governments maintain ownership and control over satellites, ground infrastructure, and terminals. By integrating Nokia’s secure networking technology with ICEYE’s satellite capabilities, the companies intend to create a resilient communications backbone that functions across land, sea, and air domains.

CEO of ICEYE, Rafal Modrzewski, and Nokia CEO, Justin Hotard, noted that the initiative seeks to reduce dependency on foreign commercial operators. The project is scheduled for its first satellite deployment in 2028, positioning these sovereign systems as a complement to existing defense and civilian network infrastructures.