French satellite operator Eutelsat entered the spotlight last week as a possible replacement for Elon Musk’s Starlink in Ukraine – and potentially, wider Europe.
Eva Berneke, Eutelsat’s CEO, said the company was in advanced discussion With the EU for expanding its internet service in Ukraine. She also said Eutelsat was in “very positive talks” with Italy to provide a coded service coded to government officials. In the same week, investors gathered after eutelsat, sending her The shares that grow Over 500%.
But what exactly is Eutelsat? And can it really replace Starlink in Ukraine and beyond?
A mission of independence
In 1977, 17 European countries gathered to form EUROPEAN Satellite organization of telecommunications – “Eutelsat” for February. The idea was to develop a satellite -based telecommunications infrastructure independently of the US or Soviet Union.
In 1983, Eutelsat became the first European provider of Satellite TV. In 2001, the company was privatized, and in 2023 joined the UK’s Oneweb to become the third largest satellite operator.
TNW Conference – 2025 agenda has just touched down
Discover the penetrators and we dare to say controversial sessions that will take place June 19-20.
With the union, Eutelsat inherited OneWeb constellation of low-land orbit satellites for internet communications-a composition similar to its largest Starlink rival.
How do OneWeb’s satellites work?
Eutelsat currently has 653 OneWeb satellites that rotate the ground, each about 1,200 km above the surface. This relative proximity results in lower delay and faster internet speed compared to traditional geostational satellites, which are about 30 times further in space.
Land stations on Earth are connected to internet and radius data to the satellites rotating above. Satellites then transmit data to user terminals, small antennas devices that enable internet access to places where traditional connections are not available. These users’ terminals are particularly useful in remote areas, planes, ships, vehicles, or – as we have seen in conflict areas in Ukraine.
Can Eutelsat Starlink in Ukraine?
Eutelsat told TNW it offers the same coverage and latent skills as Starlink. The firm’s lower orbit services (Leo) have already settled in Ukraine, where they support the government and institutional communications. Moreover, Eutelsat said its geostational orbit systems (GEO) can provide additional capacity on Ukraine, as well as “stronger resistance” for critical infrastructure connection.
Currently, Eutelsat has about 2,000 terminals of field users in Ukraine. This is Dwarf from 40,000 of Starlink, however Berneke said her company can reach that number “Within two months”.
However, by increasing the capacity that would quickly present some serious logistical challenges, especially as oneweb Terminals are supplied by third -party companies, unlike Starlink, which builds inside the house.
Poland And SH.BA, among other things, have helped finance the use of Starlink Ukraine. Similar support is likely to be necessary for A quick summary of OneWeb Terminals, especially given the not so healthy eutelsat the financial concerns.
Then there is the technology itself. Oneweb’s satellites are older and less advanced than that of Starlink. They lack inter-slate laser technology, which improves coverage. They also have much less satellites in orbit than Starlink, which has about 7,000.
However, if the EU is serious about the replacement of Starlink in Ukraine, it will surely have to be set for the second best. The block will also need to make some serious financial commitments. The word from Poland this weekend provided positive news on that front.
In one post On Sunday, Poland’s Foreign Minister said the country would be forced to “search for other suppliers” If Spacex “proves to be an unreliable provider.” Warsaw currently finances half of the 42,000 Starlink terminals operating at a cost of about $ 50 million a year.
In the longer term, Europe has placed its bets Irisa constellation with many satellite orbit online that is expected to turn on in 2030. There are also reports that a new Airbus-Leonardo-Thales Alenia space joint -enterprise Called “Project Bromo” plans to challenge Starlink’s global dominance.
Europe’s technological sovereignty will be a hot topic at the TNW conference, which takes place on June 19-20 in Amsterdam. Tickets for the event are now on sale. Use TNWXMEDIA2025 Code on Check-Out to get 30% discount of price.