Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
A message from the released detainee, Mahmoud al-Arida, to Al Mayadeen channel: We will never forget your historic role
A message from the released detainee, Mahmoud al-Arida, to Al Mayadeen channel: You are at the vanguard of free media... salutations to the free Al-Mayadeen channel
Palestinian media: Three Palestinians were killed after being targeted by Israeli drone fire in the al-Shujaiya neighborhood east of Gaza City
Nicolas Maduro: The Palestinian cause is the most sacred cause for humanity, and we propose sending teams of builders, farmers, and doctors to Gaza to help the people
Al Mayadeen's correspondent in Lebanon: IOF infiltrate Khallet Wardeh towards the municipality in the town of Aita al-Shaab, south of Lebanon.
Leaders of the United States, Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey sign a ceasefire agreement in Gaza.
Trump arrives in Sharm el-Sheikh
Israeli PM's office: PM informed Trump he would not attend Sharm el-Sheikh Summit on account of Jewish holidays.
Israeli media: Netanyahu makes last-minute decision to cancel trip to Sharm el-Sheikh.
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: Large crowds gather in Khan Younis to welcome the liberated Palestinian detainees, waving flags of Hamas and Islamic Jihad in celebration

Europe rushes to cut reliance on Musk’s satellites amid concerns: WSJ

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: The Wall Street Journal
  • 13 Apr 2025 18:01
  • 2 Shares
3 Min Read

Starlink's dominance has highlighted the risks of relying on a single American company and its volatile owner.

Listen
  • x
  • Europe seeks to reduce reliance on Musk's satellite network: WSJ
    A SpaceX Falcon 9 mission to launch 53 Starlink satellites to low-Earth orbit from Space Launch Complex 4 East takes off from Vandenberg Space Force Base, California, on May 13, 2022. (AP)

European authorities are seeking a local alternative to Starlink's network, The Wall Street Journal reported.

Amid growing concerns over the Trump administration's dismissive stance toward traditional US allies, pressure on Ukraine, and efforts to reconcile with Russia, many European nations are eager to reduce their dependence on the US — particularly on the unpredictable Elon Musk.

Starlink's dominance, however, has highlighted the risks of relying on a single American company and its volatile owner.

European authorities now want Eutelsat, headquartered in a dull business neighborhood outside Paris, to offer a backup to Starlink in Ukraine as soon as possible, using its satellite internet service OneWeb.

Eutelsat's ability to compete with Starlink shortly is widely questioned.

France's Eutelsat has less than 700 satellites in the lower Earth orbit, with aims to launch 500 satellites into space during the next three years. Starlink, the major worldwide satellite cell provider, has over 7,000 satellites, ten times more than Eutelsat. Its terminals also cost around one-tenth as much.

"OneWeb is not a suitable alternative to Starlink in any way, shape, or form," said Christopher Baugh, a satellite industry specialist at the Analysys Mason consulting firm. "Launching many satellites doesn't happen overnight."

Related News

Musk takes sharp swing at Polish FM over Starlink claims

SpaceX launches 13 US military satellites to low-Earth orbit

Eutelsat intends to enhance capacity. The question is how fast—and who will pay the tab. The corporation benefits from the seismic geopolitical change that has occurred since President Trump's return to the White House.

Starlink has not ceased operations in Ukraine, but Europeans are concerned about possible risks.

"If SpaceX proves to be an unreliable provider, we will be forced to look for other suppliers," Poland's Foreign Minister Radek Sikorski wrote on X in early March, reacting to Musk's claim that Ukraine would collapse without him. 

According to Kiev, Poland covers almost half the cost of the approximately 50,000 Starlink terminals used by Ukraine's military and civilian administrations.

To properly compete with Starlink, Eutelsat would likely require billions of dollars in finance from its three largest shareholders: the French and British governments, as well as a conglomerate founded by Indian billionaire Sunil Bharti Mittal.

The satellite internet business is becoming increasingly competitive. Amazon is constructing a satellite network known as Project Kuiper, while China is launching its own.

Concerns about Musk's dependability have even compromised Starlink's effort to obtain an Italian government contract to offer secure communication services. Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, a friend of Musk's who has good contacts with the Trump administration, was supportive of Starlink.

However, the European outcry against Musk has caused a delay in the decision. Rome said it is looking at Starlink and other options, including Eutelsat.

  • Elon Musk
  • Starlink
  • Starlink satellite
  • European Union
  • Europe

Most Read

Palestinian journalist Saleh al-Jaafarawi in an undated image in Gaza, occupied Palestine (Social media)

Gaza Palestinian journalist Saleh al-Jafarawi killed by collaborators

  • Politics
  • 12 Oct 2025
Taylor Swift: The Life of a Showgirl

The Life of a No-Girl: The one verse Taylor Swift refuses to sing

  • Arts and Culture
  • 8 Oct 2025
Ceasefire in Gaza takes effect amid conflicting signals and bombings

Gaza ceasefire takes effect; 'Israel' resumes bombing, timing disputed

  • Politics
  • 9 Oct 2025
drop site

New report details extensive Israeli arson in Gaza after ceasefire

  • Politics
  • 13 Oct 2025

Coverage

All
War on Gaza

Read Next

All
Freed Palestinian prisoners carry rifles as they arrive in the Gaza Strip following their release from Israeli jails, outside Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip, Monday, October 13, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Palestinian Resistance remains steadfast, victorious Larijani says

Lebanese Army Commander General Rodolphe Laffan inspecting the command structure of the 10th Infantry Brigade in Kfarskhna-Zgharta on October 13, 2025. (Lebanonese Army)
Politics

Lebanese Army chief: Israeli aggression threatens Lebanon's security

Hamas fighters escort buses carrying freed Palestinian prisoners arriving in the Gaza Strip after their release from Israeli jails, in Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip, Monday, October 13, 2025 (AP)
Politics

154 Palestinian prisoners exiled to Egypt under exchange deal

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu arrives before US President Donald Trump addresses the Knesset, Israel's parliament, Monday, October 13, 2025 in Occupied Al-Quds. (Kenny Holston/The New York Times via AP, Pool)
Politics

Netanyahu withdraws from Sharm El-Sheikh summit amid regional pushback

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS