By AFP | 2025-08-06

PARIS -- Eutelsat said July 21 that it had signed a deal to provide broadband connectivity for British embassies and other government operations worldwide, after London invested in the French satellite operator.

France has upped its own investment as European governments seek a homegrown alternative to Starlink satellites operated by dominant US-based player SpaceX, owned by Elon Musk.

"Eutelsat OneWeb's LEO (low Earth orbit) constellation will provide high-speed, low latency connectivity for British Embassies, High Commissions, and Consulates as well as broader UK government activities globally," the company said in a statement.

Beyond diplomacy, Eutelsat's technology will support "policing, resilience, defence and other essential operations," it added.

British firm NSSLGlobal will manage the satellite provision for the UK Foreign Office (FCDO), which can be extended to other government departments, Eutelsat said.

Eutelsat is already providing service to the FCDO under a deal set to last "several years," a spokeswoman told AFP.

Britain earlier this month said it would pump €163 million ($192 million) into Eutelsat.

Under a capital increase announced in June, the French state will hold 29% of Eutelsat by the end of 2025, up from 13% previously, with London's share steady at 10.9% following its increased investment.

Set to be completed by the end of this year, the capital increase is "a pivotal step in Eutelsat's strategic and financing roadmap, enabling the execution of its strategic vision," Eutelsat said in a statement June 19.

Renewing satellite fleet and restructuring debt

The money will fund a renewal of Eutelsat's satellite fleet and improve its financial situation, including through a debt restructuring.

Eutelsat is gearing up to contribute to the Iris² network of European satellites in multiple orbits, supposed to offer communication services from 2030.

European capitals' concerns about "technological sovereignty" have extended to space, fanned notably by Musk's public statements about the influence his control of Starlink gives him over events such as the war in Ukraine.

Eutelsat's low Earth orbit "constellation" numbers over 600 satellites since its merger with British firm OneWeb in 2023 -- a figure far short of the thousands operated by Starlink.

"Eutelsat is a strategic asset contributing to European strategic autonomy," Lombard's office said.

"The war in Ukraine has shown the importance of space infrastructure for resilient communications infrastructure, whether civilian or military," Lombard's office said.

"It has also spotlighted Europe's dependence on non-European technology."