Ukraine Signs Nokia, ICEYE Satellite Deal as Starlink Curbs Hit Drones Above 100 mph
Updated
Updated · CNBC · Oct 23
Ukraine Signs Nokia, ICEYE Satellite Deal as Starlink Curbs Hit Drones Above 100 mph
3 articles · Updated · CNBC · Oct 23
Summary
Ukraine’s Defense Ministry signed a letter of intent with Nokia and ICEYE to build defense and satellite-communications capabilities after Starlink and Starshield restrictions disrupted battlefield connectivity.
Speeds above 100 mph remain a key trigger for the outages, Ukrainian officials said Friday, with fast-moving drones and other aircraft still losing links and dropping out of the sky.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Ukraine must rely on capabilities it can control and this week also announced a partnership with Norway on air-defense and communications systems that could replace Starshield.
Donald Trump said Friday he would ask Elon Musk to lift the restrictions, while U.S. lawmakers from both parties are seeking a formal probe into SpaceX over the unannounced service changes.
No drop-in replacement for Starlink exists yet, even as rivals emerge and the EU’s IRIS² will not launch until 2029; investors have put about $8 billion into alternatives since 2022.