Press Release

ICEYE, the European leader in sovereign intelligence from space, and Nokia, a global leader in connectivity infrastructure, today announced a partnership to develop secure, sovereign and high-performance broadband low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite communications systems for governments, supporting missions from defense and border security to emergency services and disaster response. Built on trusted European technology, the jointly developed satellite communications systems will give nations ownership and control of the satellites, ground segment and terminals. The first communications satellites are expected to be launched in 2028.

When terrestrial networks are disrupted or compromised, defense forces, first responders and civil authorities risk losing access to the information and command systems they depend on. Governments therefore need resilient communications infrastructure that remains available under the most demanding conditions, and that they can fully own and control.

The jointly developed sovereign systems will deliver targeted, high-throughput, low-latency connectivity over priority mission areas. Designed to complement military and commercial networks rather than replace them, it will add reach, resilience and capacity, helping governments and defense organizations maintain critical connections wherever operations take place.

The partnership brings together ICEYE’s track record delivering sovereign satellite missions with Nokia’s extensive experience in secure networking technologies and growing defense portfolio. Together, the companies will integrate satellites, ground infrastructure and ruggedized end-user terminals to extend ICEYE’s sovereign intelligence from space business model to satellite communications.

“Together with Nokia, we are building on our proven space intelligence expertise and delivering sovereign, high-performance satellite communications. Nations must be able to fully own and control their communications, without dependency on a foreign commercial operator’s terms of service. We delivered Poland its own radar satellite system in under a year. Partnering with Nokia lets us move at a similar speed for satellite communications, on the timelines nations need,” said Rafal Modrzewski, CEO and Co-founder of ICEYE.

“Sovereign operations depend on the ability to sense, decide and act in real time. Physical AI makes that possible, but only with secure, resilient connectivity across land, sea, air and space. By bringing together Nokia’s trusted networks with ICEYE’s proven sovereign space capabilities, we will deliver a satellite communications capability—complementing existing terrestrial networks, and giving nations the situational awareness, connectivity, and control they need to operate with confidence in contested environments across all domains,” said Justin Hotard, President and CEO of Nokia.

Digital infrastructure services provider Edotco Bangladesh, has partnered with Tiger New Energy, a pioneer in sustainable transportation, to give used telecom batteries a second life by repurposing them into Instant Power Supply (IPS) systems, providing backup power when the main utility grid fails.

Under Edotco’s flagship Tower to Power corporate social responsibility initiative, the programme retrieves technically viable cells from retired batteries and repurposes them into backup power solutions. These systems will be deployed in selected rural schools, educational institutions, and other locations with limited access to reliable electricity, helping to improve education and community well-being.

Al Batuni Mohammad Sayed Ahmed, Country Managing Director of Edotco Bangladesh, explains: “At Edotco, sustainability means creating lasting value for both communities and the environment. Through our Tower to Power initiative, this partnership will give retired telecom batteries a second life ― helping to reduce electronic waste while expanding access to reliable backup power in underserved areas. It is a practical example of how responsible innovation can address real community needs and create meaningful impact.”

The initiative builds on the success of the Tower to Power platform, which, the parters say, has already positively impacted over 100,000 lives in Bangladesh. It aligns with Edotco broader environmental, social and governance (ESG) commitments and supports key United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, including Affordable and Clean Energy, Responsible Consumption and Production, and Climate Action.

By combining expertise in digital infrastructure and innovative resource management, Edotco Bangladesh and Tiger New Energy say they are demonstrating how retired telecom assets can be transformed into practical, environmentally friendly solutions that empower communities and create sustainable shared value.

In July last year the companies signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to deploy sustainable power systems that drive greener connectivity and extend clean energy access to communities across Bangladesh.