France’s Big Bet on Eutelsat: Can It Rival Starlink in Europe?

France is making a significant investment in Eutelsat, aiming to establish it as a European competitor to Elon Musk’s Starlink satellite internet service. This initiative aligns with the European Union’s broader goal of achieving technological sovereignty, reducing reliance on satellite technologies from outside Europe, and fostering a robust, homegrown internet infrastructure.

Eutelsat already plays an important role in satellite communications across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. With increased funding, France anticipates that Eutelsat will:

• Expand its satellite internet network substantially
• Provide faster and more reliable connectivity
• Target rural and underserved regions across Europe

Despite the French government’s optimism, experts remain skeptical about whether Eutelsat can truly rival the performance of Starlink. Key considerations include:

1. Starlink’s rapid deployment: It has built a large low-earth-orbit (LEO) satellite constellation offering global high-speed internet, including remote areas.
2. Eutelsat’s current limitations: Its technology and satellite network are less extensive and slower to roll out compared to Starlink.

The main challenges for Eutelsat and France will be to innovate rapidly, develop a competitive satellite system, and effectively compete in a market currently dominated by major players such as SpaceX. If successful, this effort could significantly enhance Europe’s digital independence and position it as a key player in the space-based internet market.

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