Latest news with #Eutelsat
L'Orient-Le Jour
3 hours ago
- Business
- L'Orient-Le Jour
Government holds talks with Eutelsat, a Starlink competitor
Prime Minister Nawaf Salam met a delegation from the French group Eutelsat, specializing in satellite communications — including internet access, mobile and landline telephones, data transfer and television broadcasting — on Wednesday, according to an announcement posted by the Grand Serail on X. That morning, the same delegation visited the Telecommunications Ministry for an initial meeting with Minister Charles Hage. Few details have emerged from that discussion. Contacted by L'Orient-Le Jour, the minister's office simply indicated that it was an exploratory exchange with no conclusions at this stage, except that Lebanon is seeking to strengthen its internet access, a service Eutelsat provides. A major player in the sector, Eutelsat OneWeb — the trade name adopted following the September 2023 merger between French operator Eutelsat and British company OneWeb — offers a satellite internet service similar to Starlink, the SpaceX subsidiary founded by Elon Musk, with whom Lebanon had initiated discussions that ultimately went nowhere. With a satellite fleet far smaller than its competitor's, Eutelsat OneWeb is mainly well-established in the European market, while also covering several countries in Africa, the Middle East and Latin America. After the meeting at the Grand Serail, Hani al-Arja, vice president in charge of sales of connectivity solutions for the MENA region, said the company had informed the prime minister of "ongoing preparations for the potential launch of the company's services in Lebanon," which will in principle be marketed by operators Ogero, Alfa and Touch. "The company specializes in providing fast satellite internet and communication services, including low-cost mobile satellites. This service will provide users with high-speed internet connectivity," he said. These talks with Eutelsat cast doubt on the state of negotiations with SpaceX, which had already failed under the previous government of Najib Mikati due to service costs and a technical constraint: SpaceX reportedly required Lebanon to host its data management servers in Qatar or Germany, which would violate Law No. 81 on personal data protection. Yet, the adoption of Starlink seemed well underway in early June — buoyed by the enthusiasm displayed by Musk, who had expressed his wish "to see his companies present in Lebanon," according to remarks reported by the Lebanese presidency. Even U.S. envoy Tom Barrack, who just wrapped up a three-day visit to Lebanon to discuss the state monopoly on arms, called the case 'promising' during an interview with Télé Liban on Monday night. It is difficult to know where things currently stand. According to a source from a major Lebanese internet provider, talks with Starlink are at a standstill. Another source, close to the government, said nothing prevents Lebanon from negotiating with both Eutelsat and SpaceX at the same time. Lebanon is mainly connected to the internet via submarine and land cables. On the sidelines of his meeting with Eutelsat, the prime minister also met the Lebanese team that will participate in the Microsoft Office Specialist World Championship (MOSWC) and the Adobe Certified Professional World Championship (ACPWC), which will be held from July 27 to 30 in Orlando, Florida. The Makhzoumi Foundation organizes the national selection in Lebanon, after which the country's representatives are chosen. The participants presented the prime minister with the official jersey that Lebanon will be represented with during this international competition, according to a statement.
Time of India
18 hours ago
- Business
- Time of India
David Broadbent appointed CEO of Europe's SES Space & Defense
Luxembourg-based European satellite company SES announced on Tuesday the appointment of David Broadbent as president and CEO of its Space & Defense Organization. He previously held a similar position at Intelsat, which SES acquired on July 17. Broadbent will lead the merged government and defence divisions of SES and Intelsat, which collectively operate over 100 satellites across geostationnary, medium earth and low earth orbits, positioning SES as a key European competitor to U.S.-based Starlink alongside French peer Eutelsat . "Our focus moving forward is to harness the combined strengths of our people, capabilities, and technology to deliver mission-driven outcomes for our government mission partners," Broadbent said in a statement. "As a unified team, we are uniquely positioned to provide a secure and resilient multi-orbit strategy that advance national security objectives, protect sovereignty, and ensure uninterrupted access to critical communication infrastructure," he added. SES expects to generate 1.8 billion euros ($2.1 billion) in annual operating profit, and to increase revenues by a low to mid-single digit percentage per year to 2028. "This stronger financial profile is supported by a combined contract backlog exceeding 8 billion euros, providing clear visibility into future revenue streams," it said in a statement announcing the merger. The announcement comes as European nations accelerate efforts to bolster independence in defence and satellite technology amid geopolitical tensions with Russia and evolving U.S. foreign policy priorities. Eutelsat recently received a 750 million euros capital infusion from the French government in June, followed by a 163 million euros boost from Britain.
Time of India
2 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Eutelsat strikes global satellite internet deal with UK government
Paris: Eutelsat said Monday that it had signed a deal to provide broadband connectivity for British embassies and other government operations worldwide, after London invested in the French satellite operator. France has also upped its investment as European governments seek a homegrown alternative to Starlink satellites operated by dominant US-based player SpaceX, owned by Elon Musk. "Eutelsat OneWeb's LEO (low Earth orbit) constellation will provide high-speed, low latency connectivity for British Embassies, High Commissions, and Consulates as well as broader UK government activities globally," the company said in a statement. Beyond diplomacy, Eutelsat's technology would support "policing, resilience, defence and other essential operations", it added. British firm NSSLGlobal will manage the satellite provision for the UK's foreign ministry (FCDO), which can be extended to other government departments, Eutelsat said. Eutelsat is already providing service to the FCDO under a deal set to last "several years", a spokeswoman told AFP. Britain earlier this month said it would pump 163 million euros ($192 million) into Eutelsat. Under a capital increase announced in June, the French state will hold 29 percent of Eutelsat by the end of 2025, up from 13 percent previously, with London's share steady at 10.9 percent following its increased investment. European capitals' concerns about "technological sovereignty" have extended to space, fanned notably by Musk's public statements about the influence his control of Starlink gives him over events such as the war in Ukraine. Eutelsat's low Earth orbit "constellation" numbers over 600 satellites since its merger with British firm OneWeb in 2023 -- a figure far short of the thousands operated by Starlink.
The Star
2 days ago
- Business
- The Star
Eutelsat signs strategic partnership with UK government for its LEO network access
FILE PHOTO: A satellite model is placed on Eutelsat logo in this picture illustration taken April 4, 2022. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Photo (Reuters) -Eutelsat said on Monday it has signed a strategic agreement with the UK government to offer connectivity services through its LEO network for diplomatic missions, law enforcement activities and military operations and critical interventions. "Under the agreement, Eutelsat OneWeb's LEO's constellation will provide high-speed, low latency connectivity for British embassies, high commissions, and consulates as well as broader UK government activities globally," the French satellite group said in a statement. Earlier this month, the UK announced plans to invest 163.3 million euros ($190.72 million) in Eutelsat, which is often presented as the European rival to the American giant Starlink. ($1 = 0.8562 euros) (Reporting by Johan Bodinier; Editing by Shailesh Kuber)
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Eutelsat signs strategic partnership with UK government for its LEO network access
(Reuters) -Eutelsat said on Monday it has signed a strategic agreement with the UK government to offer connectivity services through its LEO network for diplomatic missions, law enforcement activities and military operations and critical interventions. "Under the agreement, Eutelsat OneWeb's LEO's constellation will provide high-speed, low latency connectivity for British embassies, high commissions, and consulates as well as broader UK government activities globally," the French satellite group said in a statement. Earlier this month, the UK announced plans to invest 163.3 million euros ($190.72 million) in Eutelsat, which is often presented as the European rival to the American giant Starlink. ($1 = 0.8562 euros) Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
