Nokia and ICEYE partner to develop sovereign LEO satellite systems

Nokia and the Finnish space company ICEYE have announced a partnership to develop a low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite communication system designed for national defense, border security, and emergency services.

Unlike standard commercial satellite services, this system is intended to provide governments with sovereign control over their own infrastructure, including the satellites, ground segments, and user terminals. This model aims to offer a resilient alternative for defense forces and civil authorities when terrestrial communication networks are compromised or fail.

The project is expected to complement existing military and commercial networks by providing high-capacity, low-latency connectivity in priority operational areas. The first satellites from this initiative are targeted for launch in 2028.