Eutelsat: Can Europe’s Satellite Hope Compete With Starlink?

As the global space race heats up, France is placing a bold bet on Eutelsat as a potential rival to Starlink, the satellite internet giant founded by Elon Musk. But experts say it won’t be an easy race to win.

Eutelsat – Europe’s Response to Starlink?

In 2023, Eutelsat merged with British satellite operator OneWeb, consolidating European space efforts to compete with U.S.-based players. Most recently, the French government announced a €1.35 billion ($1.58 billion) investment in Eutelsat, acquiring a 30% stake and becoming its largest shareholder.

This signals a shift in strategy: France no longer sees Eutelsat as just a telecom provider, but as a strategic infrastructure asset crucial to European sovereignty in space and communications.

Why Starlink Still Has the Upper Hand

Despite growing support, Eutelsat is still far behind Starlink on several critical fronts:

Satellite fleet: Starlink operates over 7,600 Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites globally. In contrast, OneWeb (under Eutelsat) manages just 650 satellites.

Technology architecture: Starlink uses a more advanced network architecture, while Eutelsat relies on a bent-pipe model, which is less flexible and efficient.

Launch capabilities: SpaceX gives Starlink an edge in satellite launches, while Europe lacks comparable launch infrastructure.

Capital and scale: SpaceX is valued at $350 billion as of its last private funding round, while Eutelsat has a market cap of just €1.6 billion.

According to Joe Gardiner of CCS Insight, “Eutelsat must not only replace aging satellites but also significantly expand its constellation to match Starlink’s capacity and coverage.”

Can Eutelsat Replace Starlink in Europe?

While a full replacement is unlikely in the short term, Eutelsat can still play a key role:

It may serve government, defense, and enterprise clients that prioritize data jurisdiction, sovereignty, and regional control.

Eutelsat’s GEO (Geostationary Orbit) satellites offer unique coverage for remote areas like Greenland and Alaska — something Starlink doesn’t focus on.

In April 2024, Germany deployed 1,000 Eutelsat terminals in Ukraine to provide an alternative to Starlink’s existing 50,000 units.

Still, even Eutelsat’s former CEO Eva Berneke admitted: “We couldn’t take over all of Ukraine’s connectivity needs. Let’s be honest.”

The Future: Not a Starlink Clone — But a Strategic Pillar

While Eutelsat may not reach Starlink’s scale in the next five years, its role could be no less important. French President Emmanuel Macron stated, “Space has become a measure of international power,” underlining the importance of European autonomy.

Eutelsat’s current roadmap emphasizes:

Operational efficiency

A differentiated go-to-market model

Strong European backing

Potential increased investment from the U.K. government

Final Thoughts

Eutelsat may not become the next Starlink — and perhaps it doesn’t need to. As Europe seeks to reduce its dependency on foreign tech giants and enhance its space sovereignty, Eutelsat is well-positioned to serve strategic, secure, and enterprise segments of the satellite internet market.

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