- Liechtenstein has granted priority filings for Ka-band spectrum to UK-based satellite company Open Cosmos, which plans to deploy a low-Earth orbit broadband network.
- Open Cosmos plans to launch two demonstration satellites aboard Rocket Lab rockets before the end of Q1.
- Rivada Space Networks originally held the filings, but its Liechtenstein licence was revoked in 2024.
Open Cosmos, a UK-based satellite firm, has clinched Liechtenstein’s priority filings for Ka-band spectrum. This move marks a crucial regulatory milestone as it aims to develop its own LEO broadband constellation across Europe.
Timing is crucial. Throughout Europe, “sovereign” communications have moved beyond policy discussions into a pressing reality, with governments seeking secure connectivity solutions that don’t rely on a limited range of private networks.
Open Cosmos plans to launch two demonstration satellites by the end of Q1, partnering with Rocket Lab out of New Zealand, Satellite Today reports. So far, the company hasn’t revealed the name of the constellation or the total number of satellites it aims to deploy.
Ka-band covers a portion of the radio spectrum heavily used for high-capacity satellite connections, which explains the disputes over these filings. In practical terms, securing priority rights determines who can deploy a broadband network and who must work around it.
Rivada Space Networks once held those rights, but its Liechtenstein licence was revoked in 2024. Competing constellations and filings are fueling a broader rush for spectrum and regulatory advantage, as satellite broadband grows more critical to national infrastructure.
Open Cosmos is pitching its upcoming broadband network as a Europe-focused solution tailored for government and enterprise clients, stressing strong security features. CEO Rafel Jordá Siquier called it a sovereign alternative in interviews referenced by the coverage, highlighting worries over dependence on just a few satellite providers.
Open Cosmos is assembling the first two satellites at their Harwell facility in Oxfordshire, with support from teams based in Spain, Portugal, and Greece. Each satellite is estimated to weigh between 100 and 150 kilograms. The company aims to have them prepped for launch within this quarter.
Open Cosmos is banking on its established manufacturing and mission-delivery experience to prove it can get the job done. Having delivered small satellites and related services for years, the company points to that track record to show a broadband programme won’t be starting from square one.
Funding remains the big unknown for every LEO broadband plan, but Open Cosmos aims to tackle it head-on. The company claims it’s been turning a profit for several years and plans to finance development through its current operations, which cover national satellite programs and various other missions.
On the commercial front, Open Cosmos aims to collaborate with terrestrial telecom operators, enabling satellite links to enhance existing services instead of operating separately. This strategy is gaining traction as providers seek coverage in rural regions, maritime zones, and as emergency backup connections.
Liechtenstein has positioned the decision as a move to activate the limited frequencies assigned to the country, rather than leaving them unused. UK officials responded positively, linking the award to job creation and enhanced capabilities at Harwell.
Yet moving beyond “two demos” to a full broadband rollout is where things get complicated. Open Cosmos hasn’t shared how many satellites it plans to launch, what capacity it aims for, how it will handle ground networks, or which customers are on board — all the key details that usually decide if a LEO network evolves into actual infrastructure or just stays in pilot mode.
Rivada, for its part, remains active. The company is still pushing forward with its LEO plans and has previously suggested that the Liechtenstein issue might shift, highlighting how quickly Europe’s spectrum and satellite landscape can evolve alongside technological advances.
