For years, Europe has watched as Elon Musk’s Starlink network has dominated the market, offering fast and reliable satellite internet across continents. This convenience raises a critical question: What happens when vital European infrastructure depends on a private, non-European provider? The rising global tensions have highlighted the strategic risks of relying on foreign-controlled communications. Now, Europe’s leaders are taking action.
Meet Eutelsat, the French satellite company, strengthened by its merger with the UK’s OneWeb. With over 600 low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites and 34 geostationary satellites, Eutelsat is positioned to develop Europe’s sovereign satellite network.
In a landmark move, the UK and French governments have committed €1.5 billion to recapitalise Eutelsat: France investing €750 million (nearly doubling its stake to 30%) and the UK contributing €163 million (maintaining a 10.89% share). Their goal is to build a European satellite internet constellation that competes with Starlink, ensuring the continent’s digital independence.
Eutelsat’s leadership combines European space veterans with British NewSpace innovators, united by a shared vision: securing Europe’s position in the next frontier of connectivity. Their mission is straightforward: to deliver secure, resilient, and sovereign satellite communications that keep European data in European hands. The urgency is apparent, driven by recent geopolitical events and the recognition that digital sovereignty is now essential, not optional.
Hybrid constellation, European control
What makes Eutelsat unique? It’s a hybrid strategy. Combining the broad coverage of geostationary satellites with the fast, low-latency capabilities of a LEO fleet, Eutelsat delivers seamless, high-quality internet across Europe.
As the primary contractor for the EU’s IRIS² project, it is creating a constellation that merges multiple satellite orbits, ensuring reliable and secure connectivity for government communications, IoT networks, and other applications. Major differentiators include strict compliance with EU data privacy and security standards, proven crisis deployment ability, and deep integration with terrestrial networks, offering a distinctly European solution.
The road ahead for Eutelsat: IRIS² and beyond
With €1.5 billion in fresh capital, Eutelsat is working to deploy the IRIS² constellation by 2030, promising secure, high-speed internet for governments, businesses, and citizens across Europe and beyond. The company’s vision extends further, with plans to expand its satellite fleet and pioneer services such as direct-to-device connectivity. Eutelsat aims to keep Europe at the cutting edge of space technology.
The stakes are high. As digital infrastructure increasingly moves to space, Europe is making a strategic move to ensure it remains competitive and secure. With the UK and France leading the initiative, Eutelsat is poised to become Europe’s answer to Starlink, blending technological innovation with strategic autonomy. The message is clear: Europe’s future will be written in the stars and this time, in European hands.
