France Bets on Eutelsat as Europe’s Rival to Starlink, But Experts Question Its Edge

France is positioning Eutelsat as a key player in the European Union’s goal to achieve technological independence. The French government regards Eutelsat, a major satellite operator, as a strategic asset to challenge global leaders like Elon Musk’s Starlink in satellite internet services.

Eutelsat is aiming to expand its satellite internet capabilities to provide fast and reliable connectivity across Europe. This initiative supports the EU’s broader ambition to reduce reliance on non-European technology providers and strengthen its digital infrastructure.

Challenges and Expert Opinions

Despite these ambitions, experts remain skeptical about Eutelsat’s ability to match Starlink’s vast satellite network and technological edge. Starlink is known for its extensive constellation of low-earth orbit satellites and currently offers high-speed internet service in many parts of the world. Critics raise concerns about:

• Whether Eutelsat can develop and deploy a comparable satellite system quickly enough to compete.
• The technological advancements required to rival Starlink’s network performance and coverage.

France’s Strategic Investment

Despite the skepticism, France continues to invest in Eutelsat’s satellite initiatives, seeing it as vital for Europe’s digital future and sovereignty in space-based services. This development highlights Europe’s increasing focus on advancing homegrown technology within the aggressively competitive global market for satellite internet.

Stay tuned for more updates from Questiqa Europe News.

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