At 5:13 GMT, the Eutelsat satellites were launched via the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket that took off from California’s Vandenberg Space Force Base. Eutelsat, the world’s third largest satellite operator by revenue, has more than 600 satellites in low Earth orbit and serves broadcasters, telos and radio stations.
Takeoff! pic.twitter.com/lnLQl9Bp5R
-SpaceX (@SpaceX) October 20, 2024
“This is OneWeb’s first satellite launch since the merger. We will launch more satellites in the coming years,” CEO Eva Berneke told Reuters. “We really want to integrate into the telecom ecosystem. Satellites are an interesting niche in the overall connectivity ecosystems, where telcos are the big boys of the class and satellites will always be a smaller part.”
The company counts among its clients major telecommunications companies, including France’s Orange and Australia’s Telstra, and is currently negotiating with other operators such as AT&T in the United States.
With a significant order book valued at $4 billion, the company is also awaiting the opening of markets in countries such as India and Saudi Arabia.
India is projected to see 36% annual growth, reaching $1.9 billion by 2030, and is on the verge of enabling satellite services. However, the market has faced tensions between local entities and international players such as Starlink.
Berneke noted: “We have some of our work pending in the Indian market… This will remain until India opens up. “Once it does, we will begin construction.”
Additionally, the company is exploring partnerships with aviation firms to provide in-flight connectivity solutions, including Internet access, and anticipates revenue will begin to increase starting next year.
(With contributions from Reuters)
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