Eutelsat, the world’s third-largest satellite operator by revenue, successfully launched 20 satellites for its communications network on Sunday, marking a significant milestone as it partners with SpaceX. The launch, conducted using a Falcon 9 rocket, took place at 0513 GMT from California’s Vandenberg Space Force Base.
“This is the first OneWeb launch of the satellites since the merger,” Eutelsat CEO Eva Berneke told Reuters in an exclusive interview. “We will be launching more satellites over the coming years.”
The Paris-based Eutelsat was formed in September of last year through the merger of France’s Eutelsat and Britain’s OneWeb, creating a constellation of over 600 low Earth orbit satellites that serve broadcasters, telecom companies, and radio stations.
“We really want to integrate into the telco ecosystem,” Berneke explained. “Satellites occupy a unique niche within the broader connectivity landscape, where telecoms are the dominant players, and satellite services will always be a smaller segment.”
Eutelsat’s client roster includes major telecom operators like France’s Orange and Australia’s Telstra, and the company is currently in discussions with additional partners, including AT&T in the U.S.
With a backlog of orders valued at $4 billion, Eutelsat is poised for growth, particularly as it awaits opportunities in markets such as India and Saudi Arabia. India, expected to grow 36% annually to reach a market value of $1.9 billion by 2030, is currently in the process of easing restrictions on satellite services. Berneke noted the company’s pending orders in India: “We have some of our backlog sitting in the Indian market… It remains until India opens up, and once it does, we’ll begin operations.”
Additionally, Eutelsat is exploring partnerships with aviation companies to provide in-flight connectivity services, including internet browsing, with expectations of increased revenue starting next year.
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