15 August 2025

In a recent interview with Movetheneedle.news, Katie Dowd, Senior Director of Corporate Affairs at Eutelsat, shed light on a transformative agreement with NSSLGlobal and the UK’s FCDO Services. This collaboration, announced on 21 July 2025, will deploy OneWeb low Earth orbit (LEO) connectivity to support vital UK government operations—from diplomatic missions and policing to resilience, defence and other essential services. It marks a significant milestone in the company’s ascent from a traditional broadcaster to a frontier-level connectivity provider, anchoring its role in Europe's digital sovereignty.

A Heritage of Innovation and Expansion

Eutelsat’s origins trace back to 1977 as an intergovernmental organisation—Eutelsat IGO—asked with developing satellite-based telecommunications infrastructure across Europe. In the mid-1990s, it earned global distinction as Europe’s first direct-to-home television broadcaster, thanks to its Hot Bird satellite cluster. Following liberalisation in the early 2000s, the transition from public institution to private company (Eutelsat S.A., then Eutelsat Communications) allowed it to scale quickly.

Over time, Eutelsat expanded its portfolio to licensed global television, radio, and capacity for enterprise, mobile, broadband, maritime and aviation sectors, operating across Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia‑Pacific, and the Americas.

GEO-LEO Integration: The First of Its Kind

In September 2023, Eutelsat completed its merger with OneWeb, forming the world’s first fully integrated GEO‑LEO satellite operator. The group now commands a fleet of 34 or 35 geostationary (GEO) satellites along with over 600 (around 630–650) LEO satellites.

This multi‑orbital approach is highly deliberate. GEO satellites offer broad coverage and high bandwidth, while LEO satellites deliver low latency and enhanced speeds, suiting real‑time applications. Together, they create a resilient, flexible hybrid network capable of serving video, mobile, fixed, and governmental services efficiently.

Such capability makes Eutelsat uniquely positioned: the only European operator with both GEO and LEO constellations fully operational.

Strategic Capabilities and Customer Verticals

Eutelsat continues to serve customers across four key verticals:

1. Video – Distributing more than 6,500 television channels worldwide,
2. Mobile Connectivity,
3. Fixed Connectivity,
4. Government Services.

This is supported by a global ground infrastructure—teleports and operations spanning land, air and sea—enabling enterprise-grade, secure, and individually tailored services.

Eutelsat is headquartered in Paris, employing over 1,500 professionals across more than 50 countries.

Its technological innovations include satellites such as Eutelsat Quantum—a reconfigurable GEO spacecraft capable of adapting coverage—and Eutelsat Konnect, a high‑throughput Ka‑band satellite for Europe and sub‑Saharan Africa.

Reinforcing Europe’s Digital Sovereignty

Geopolitical events, notably the conflict in Ukraine and concerns over reliance on privately controlled systems like Starlink, have propelled Eutelsat to the foreground. European governments are keen to reduce dependence on external providers, especially after controversial statements from Elon Musk raised doubts about Starlink’s reliability.

Eutelsat has responded—not just with capabilities, but with strategic vision. It secured a €1.35 billion capital raise in mid‑2025, anchored by the French state and long‑standing partners, enabling expansion of OneWeb’s LEO constellation and bolstering Europe’s digital security.

Moreover, Eutelsat is the largest private investor in the EU’s IRIS² programme—a multiorbit initiative worth €10.6 billion—underlining its role in shaping Europe’s future space infrastructure.

The NSSLGlobal & FCDO Services Partnership

Katie Dowd underscores just how critical the agreement with NSSLGlobal and the UK's FCDO Services is:

“This agreement is particularly significant as it reflects the growing demand for Eutelsat’s OneWeb constellation to deliver secure, high-speed, and low-latency connectivity for critical UK government operations worldwide — including those in remote, hard-to-reach, and previously unconnected locations.”

Under this partnership, the UK’s embassies, high commissions, consulates—as well as broader governmental operations—will gain access to secure, resilient satellite communications tailored for mission-critical use.

Dowd emphasises that such connectivity is vital where terrestrial networks are limited, unavailable, or vulnerable, ranging from diplomatic missions and humanitarian response to defence and security operations.

“Eutelsat’s OneWeb network was selected for its ability to deliver secure, high-speed, low-latency connectivity as well as global coverage. Additionally, we provide dedicated support to ensure reliable service in even the most challenging locations.”

She highlights that the GEO-LEO dual architecture delivers both scale and speed:

“We do believe there are many benefits to be gained through a multi-orbit solution that when paired can provide flexibility, resilience, and assured connectivity that government operations require, even in the most challenging environments.”

Security, too, is embedded from the outset:

“Eutelsat’s OneWeb constellation is secure by design—embedding security considerations into the planning, design, and development of our systems, policies, and software from the outset... Through this approach, we deliver satellite connectivity that combines performance, compliance, and security at the highest level.”

A Gateway to Replicable, Global Government Solutions

Eutelsat’s history in defence and government services runs deep—now invigorated by LEO capabilities, demand is surging.

“The success of this agreement demonstrates a model that could be replicated internationally, as demand for high-speed, low-latency, and globally available satellite services continues to rise across Europe and beyond.”

Looking to the Future: Resilience, Sovereignty, Innovation

As Eutelsat transitions deeper into integrated connectivity, its technological assets, European credentials, and strategic partnerships crystallise its role as a key player in digital infrastructure and geopolitical autonomy.

• Its multi-orbital architecture, combining GEO coverage with LEO performance, meets the evolving demands of an interconnected world.
• Its commitment to European sovereignty, backed by public financing and IRIS² investment, positions it as a counterbalance to U.S.-centric satellite dominance.
• Its government-first contracts, like the NSSLGlobal/FCDO deal, act as a blueprint for global expansion into other governments and sectors.

As Europe and the world continue to grapple with connectivity gaps, digital sovereignty and resilience in critical infrastructure, Eutelsat’s unique position as both a broadcast legacy and a connectivity innovator places it squarely at the centre of future satellite communications.