Eutelsat OneWeb Satellites Get A 50% Boost: Why Is Europe Moving Away From Starlink?

On 3 March 2025, Eutelsat shares saw a 50% pump following various investors pulling funds into the firm’s OneWeb satellites. This move shows a shift in the priority of Europe towards the region’s satellite internet service providers and away from Starlink.

Eutelsat To Go Heads On Against Starlink European Dominance

Following the jump in Eutelsat shares on 2 March 2025, the firm reaffirmed its resolve to boost Europe’s autonomy in space-based connectivity. Not only did Eutelsat’s shares see a pump, but the shares of various European defence shares also saw significant growth as the region was making moves to back war-struck Ukraine.

Last week, President Donald Trump had a clash with Ukrainian President Zelensky over the ongoing war in Ukraine. The US President reiterated his desire to withdraw from supplying Ukraine with funds to help in the war against Russia, this move was met by varying responses across the internet.

However, the response from various European investors has been to pull more funds towards the region. This includes investing in Eutelsat OneWeb Satellites as they have played a significant role in Ukraine, helping to keep citizens connected since the war started.

While Starlink has also been present in Ukraine since the start of the war, its presence in the country is currently being questioned. Reuters reports point out that US investors are threatening to pull Starlink out of Ukraine if a critical minerals deal doesn’t pull through.

Stephane Beyazian, an analyst at Oddo BHF, says that “US-European tensions put Starlink’s sales momentum at risk in Europe and OneWeb is the only other low-earth orbit option.” This leaves other satellite internet connection providers like Eutelsat as an option for those looking to switch over.

Jan Frederik Slijkerman, an ING analyst, expects customers procuring satellite connectivity solutions to manage the risks related to individual suppliers, which is why they may look for additional capacity providers.” With the future of Starlink in Ukraine and other European regions hanging in the balance, Eutelsat gets a chance for further growth.

Eutelsat OneWeb Satellites Current Coverage

Following the Eutelsat and OneWeb merger in 2023, the firm’s satellite connectivity business has continually grown. Currently, the firm has over 650 low-earth orbit (LEO) satellites that provide users with a stable internet connection.

While this is less than what Starlink offers, Eutelsat still has enough room for growth. On a global level, the Eutelsat OneWeb satellite constellation is the second-largest in the world.

With adequate investment and proper expansion plans, Eutelsat might be able to give Starlink a run for its money in Europe. In the future, we might see Eutelsat adjust its offerings to target residential users and not just enterprises.