London, United Kingdom (Enmaeya News) — Britain and France have teamed up to invest about 1.5 billion euros ($1.6 billion) in Eutelsat, a European satellite company, to help it compete with Elon Musk’s Starlink in the growing global satellite internet market.
France is contributing around 1.35 billion euros, raising its stake in Eutelsat to nearly 30%. Britain is adding about 163 million euros, keeping its roughly 11% share. This joint effort aims to strengthen Europe’s position in satellite broadband, a key part of digital infrastructure.
Eutelsat merged with OneWeb in 2023, creating a hybrid satellite network that uses both geostationary (GEO) and low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites. This mix offers wider coverage and faster internet speeds, making it a strong alternative to Starlink’s LEO-only system.
The investments come as part of a wider plan to reduce Europe’s dependence on U.S.-controlled satellite services, which are important for military and civilian communications. France has also signed a 10-year agreement to use OneWeb’s satellites for defense purposes.
The satellite internet market is growing fast, driven by demand for high-speed connections in rural and remote areas. Both Eutelsat and Starlink are racing to expand their networks, innovate technology, and offer better, more affordable service.
Experts say the competition is good for consumers, pushing companies to improve services. But it also reflects a broader geopolitical contest. Europe wants to maintain control over its critical digital infrastructure and reduce risks from relying on foreign companies.
Eutelsat’s funding will help it develop new satellites and expand its reach. It also ties into the European Union’s IRIS² project, a €10.5 billion plan to build sovereign satellite connectivity by 2027.
The rivalry between Eutelsat and Starlink is shaping the future of global internet access. While Starlink is known for fast, low-latency internet, Eutelsat’s hybrid model provides flexible and secure coverage suited for both civilian and military uses.
As the battle for satellite broadband continues, Europe’s investment signals a strong push for digital independence and technological leadership in space.
