Ukraine to Boost Satellite Internet with German Support for Eutelsat

In a significant development, Ukraine is set to enhance its satellite internet capabilities with the support of Germany, which is financing its access to the Eutelsat network, according to reports from Reuters. This move positions Eutelsat's services as a crucial alternative to the well-known Starlink network operated by Elon Musk. Eutelsat has been operational in Ukraine for about a year, providing high-speed satellite internet through a distributor in Germany, with funding from the German government. The current infrastructure includes fewer than 1,000 terminals connecting to the Eutelsat network, but plans are underway to expand this number to between 5,000 and 10,000 quickly, as stated by Eutelsat CEO Eva Berneke. While Starlink has been instrumental, serving over 50,000 Ukrainian users across military, medical, and civilian sectors, its future has been clouded by uncertainties. Reports emerged earlier this year indicating that the U.S. government threatened to cut off Starlink services unless Kyiv consented to terms related to a minerals deal, raising concerns regarding continuity of support. Elon Musk has publicly denied these threats, asserting on March 9 that discontinuing Starlink access would significantly undermine Ukraine's military efforts, claiming that such a move could lead to the collapse of Ukraine's front lines. Tensions escalated further after a meeting on February 28 between U.S. President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, which temporarily halted U.S. military assistance and intelligence sharing, as Washington aimed to steer Ukraine towards peace negotiations with Russia. Eutelsat's service utilizes a combination of low Earth orbit and geostationary satellites, facilitating robust connectivity essential for military operations, including the use of drones. Additionally, Eutelsat is actively in discussions with the European Union that could position the company as a potential primary service provider in Ukraine, possibly replacing Starlink as reported by Bloomberg on March 6.