French operator Eutelsat intends to deploy its satellites in Ukraine as an alternative to Starlink. As IZ reports with reference to the Financial Times, the company is negotiating with European governments to provide its services in the event of a possible termination of Starlink. Satellite communications from Eutelsat can support critical infrastructure and military missions, using OneWeb's equipment, which allows for rapid connectivity. At the same time, OneWeb terminals are less portable compared to the Starlink solution.
Eutelsat is considering the use of combined satellite constellations to enhance communications in Ukraine and the Black Sea region. It is planned to involve OneWeb satellites in low-earth orbit and geostationary satellites to ensure stable connectivity. However, the main disadvantage of OneWeb is the limited number of satellites – less than 700 compared to more than 7,000 in Starlink. The timing of the deployment also depends on the decisions of European governments and their readiness for procurement.
Despite the older technology, Eutelsat could become a temporary alternative to Starlink for Ukraine. The issue of supplying additional terminals and coordinating the infrastructure is currently being resolved. Involving European governments in the negotiations could speed up this process. Although Starlink has a significant advantage in the number of satellites and terminal mobility, Eutelsat aims to provide Ukraine's critical infrastructure with uninterrupted satellite communications.
Recall, we previously wrote about why SpaceX canceled the Starship flight 40 seconds before launch.