Ukraine partners with Nokia and ICEYE to build Starlink alternatives

Ukraine's Ministry of Defense signed a letter of intent with Finnish companies Nokia and ICEYE to develop new defense and satellite communication capabilities, following SpaceX-imposed speed restrictions on Starlink that have disrupted drone operations. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasized the need for controllable capabilities, while Ukraine also announced a partnership with Norway for air defense and communications systems. Ukrainian officials report ongoing Starlink restrictions affecting aircraft traveling over 100 miles per hour, with both the Trump administration and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk denying responsibility. The U.S. lawmakers from both parties are calling for a formal probe into SpaceX's unilateral service changes. Experts warn the restrictions could reduce U.S. exports to the EU, while competitors like Amazon's Leo, France's Eutelsat, and Blue Origin's TeraWave are emerging, though no immediate replacement exists for Starlink's high-speed capabilities.