Eutelsat, a French satellite network provider, has been instrumental in supplying internet access to Ukraine for nearly a year, supported by funding from the German government, according to a report by Reuters. The company’s OneWeb division utilizes low-orbit satellites that connect to ground terminals for internet service, operating in a manner similar to SpaceX’s Starlink, which has dominated satellite internet supply for the Ukrainian government.
During a meeting at Eutelsat’s headquarters in Paris on Thursday, CEO Eva Berneke announced that Germany is providing undisclosed financial support to facilitate the satellite internet service in Ukraine. Currently, Eutelsat has fewer than 1,000 terminals operational in the country, while SpaceX has approximately 50,000 Starlink terminals, with most of that funding coming from Poland and the United States.
Despite the current limitations, Berneke highlighted the potential for Eutelsat to deploy an additional 5,000 to 10,000 terminals in Ukraine within weeks. Eutelsat spokesperson Joanna Darlington informed Reuters that discussions are ongoing regarding the funding for this expansion, specifically whether Germany or other financial partners will be involved. Moreover, Berneke mentioned that the company is negotiating with the EU as part of the SpaceRISE consortium, which aims to establish a secure satellite constellation known as IRIS².
The timing of Eutelsat’s potential expansion is particularly significant amid the shifting dynamics of US-Ukraine relations under the Elon Musk-supported Trump Administration. Andrius Kubilius, the European Commission’s defense chief, indicated at a news conference on Wednesday that contingency plans are in place for alternative solutions to Starlink in the event of any unforeseen circumstances, although he did not elaborate on the specifics.
