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Post-merger momentum: Eutelsat partners with SpaceX for satellite launch, targets $4 billion order backlog eyes expansion in the global telecom market

Eutelsat, the world's third-largest satellite operator by revenue, launched 20 satellites on October 20 in its first big move since merging with OneWeb. The 20 satellites were launched using a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California at 0513 GMT.

This is the first satellite launch using SpaceX from the company since Eutelsat merged with Britain's OneWeb back in September 2023. At this big juncture, Eutelsat's chief executive officer, Eva Berneke pointed to the importance of this step and said, “This is the first OneWeb launch of the satellites since the merger.” According to her more satellite launches are planned for 2025.

With this launch, the low Earth orbit constellation of Eutelsat has reached nearly 600 satellites. It provides program feeds to broadcasting and telecom companies, as well as radio stations, around the world. “While satellite services are a niche in the overall connectivity landscape,” Berneke observed. She also said, “They fulfil an important function alongside the large telecom operators. We really want to integrate into the telco ecosystem.” Further explaining this merger, Berneke said, “Satellites are an interesting niche in the overall connectivity ecosystems where telcos are the big boys in the class and satellites will always be a smaller part.”

The company’s client list includes major telecom players such as France’s Orange and Australia’s Telstra. Eutelsat is also in talks with other telecom giants like AT&T in the United States, aiming to expand its presence in the global telecommunications market.

Eutelsat has a backlog of orders valued at $4 billion. However, it is waiting for certain key markets, including India and Saudi Arabia, to open up for satellite services. India, a market expected to grow by 36% annually to reach $1.9 billion by 2030, has seen regulatory friction between domestic operators and foreign players like Starlink. “We have some of our backlog sitting in the Indian market... It sits there until India gets open, the day it gets open, we'll start building,” Berneke stated.

The group has also capitalized on opportunities from the aviation market, mainly through inflight internet connectivity. Berneke said the company is already in talks with airlines and revenues from this business line will start going up next year.

Eutelsat stays true to its course of becoming a leading provider of global satellite communications while focusing on the comprehensive connectivity package of solutions across the entire spectrum of the industries involved.