In 2022, the Commission envisioned IRIS² kicking off an initial service stage by late 2024 with full service arriving in mid-2027. But the project has been struggling to take flight due to higher-than-expected cost estimates and conflicts over its development.
The Commission’s announcement also notes that its funding for IRIS² will only last through the end of 2027, which will force the EU to negotiate for more funds. As a result, some have called out IRIS² as wasteful, citing the existence of Starlink, which has been supplying high-speed internet access for the past four years.