EU Considers Eutelsat’s OneWeb Satellites to Replace Starlink in Ukraine

Satellite operator Eutelsat is in discussions with the European Union to provide additional internet access to Ukraine, according to Reuters on March 4. The talks come amid a surge in Eutelsat’s stock and speculation that its OneWeb satellites could serve as an alternative to Elon Musk’s Starlink in the region.

Reuters reports that over the past two days, Eutelsat’s shares have more than tripled in value, adding over €1 billion ($1.05 billion) to its market capitalization. The rally follows reports of tensions between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and U.S. President Donald Trump, raising questions about Starlink’s future role in Ukraine.

Eutelsat, which operates 35 geostationary (GEO) satellites and a growing low Earth orbit (LEO) network following its 2023 acquisition of Britain’s OneWeb, confirmed ongoing discussions with the EU.

“We are exchanging with the EU as to how we can contribute to enhancing Ukraine’s efforts,” a Eutelsat spokesperson told Reuters, adding that the company also has GEO satellite capacity suitable for some applications in Ukraine.

The European Commission had already been exploring Govsatcom, an EU initiative for secure satellite communications, as a possible Starlink alternative. OneWeb’s LEO satellites operate similarly to Starlink, which currently provides internet access to 125 countries through a fleet of about 7,000 satellites.

Eutelsat reaffirmed its commitment to supporting European satellite capabilities and ensuring Ukraine’s connectivity. The company is working with European institutions and business partners to deploy additional user terminals for critical missions and infrastructure.

“Yesterday’s remarks by Eutelsat highlight its importance for European defense capabilities,” said ING analyst Jan Frederik Slijkerman.

Previously, it was reported that U.S. officials have discussed the possibility of restricting Ukraine’s access to the Starlink satellite internet system if Kyiv refuses to agree to terms on a strategic mineral resources deal.