Eutelsat, a French satellite company, is in talks with European governments to provide satellite internet services to Ukraine. This move comes as investors worry that Ukraine might lose access to Elon Musk’s Starlink system.
Starlink has been crucial for Ukraine’s military operations, but there are concerns that the U.S. might cut off its access to the system. The U.S. paused military aid to Ukraine on March 3, which sparked worries about the country’s ability to use Starlink.
Eutelsat owns a rival satellite service called OneWeb. It has equipment ready for deployment in Ukraine and is working with European institutions and business partners to expand its services. The company says it can provide essential connectivity for Ukraine’s military, including drone operations.
Investors are confident that European leaders will increase military support for Ukraine. This led to a surge in Eutelsat’s shares, which rose by as much as 123%. The European Commission has also proposed a loan package of 150 billion euros to help EU member states finance defense procurement.
Eutelsat’s proposal involves combining its geostationary satellites with OneWeb’s low Earth orbit satellites. This dual-constellation approach could provide the connectivity Ukraine needs for its military operations.
OneWeb already provides services to Ukraine through a German distributor, but expanding its role would require European governments to approve procurement and integration plans. The extent of Eutelsat’s contribution will depend on Ukraine’s military requirements, security protocols, and existing communication systems.
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