EU Greenlights $3.1 Billion Satellite Mega-Merger—But Is Starlink’s Reign Really at Risk?
SES and Intelsat unite in a $3.1B deal to rival Starlink. Can Europe’s new satellite giant deliver real competition in 2025?
• Merger Value: $3.1 Billion
• Satellites Combined: 100+ geostationary & 26 MEO
• Starlink Satellites: 7,000+ in LEO
• Verdict Due: By June 10, 2025
The European space race just got turbocharged. Luxembourg-based SES is set to acquire Intelsat for a staggering $3.1 billion—a merger poised to reshape the continent’s satellite internet landscape. But even with regulators expected to greenlight the deal by June 10, one burning question remains: Can the new SES-Intelsat heavyweight take on SpaceX’s Starlink juggernaut?
Stakes couldn’t be higher. Europe urgently needs alternatives to Elon Musk’s satellite empire. As governments grow uneasy about their reliance on Starlink—especially after U.S. pressure to restrict Ukrainian access—strategic autonomy is more than a buzzword; it’s a necessity.
What Will the SES-Intelsat Merger Mean for Europe’s Satellite Internet?
When SES and Intelsat unite, they’ll command a powerful armada: over 100 geostationary and 26 medium Earth orbit (MEO) satellites. This fleet will beam TV, radio, broadband, and secure communications across continents, serving both civilians and militaries. Intelsat alone brings 75 active satellites to the table, adding hefty muscle to SES’s existing network.
This mega-merger will make the combined group Europe’s second-largest satellite player, lagging only Eutelsat. Other, smaller contenders—like the UK’s Inmarsat and Spain’s Hisdesat—round out the competitive landscape.
Is Europe Ready to Challenge SpaceX Starlink’s Space Supremacy?
Despite the SES-Intelsat tie-up, Starlink remains in another orbit—literally. With more than 7,000 satellites spinning in low-Earth orbit (LEO), the SpaceX-powered network outnumbers the new European fleet by orders of magnitude. Even Eutelsat—the next-closest competitor—has just 600.
Amazon’s Project Kuiper is preparing to join the fray, planning a 3,236-satellite constellation to further disrupt the sector by 2025.
Q&A: Why Are European Leaders Worried About Starlink?
Leaders across the continent have sounded the alarm. Recent reports revealed U.S. officials threatened to pull Starlink access in Ukraine unless strategic demands were met, shining a harsh light on Europe’s vulnerability. With Starlink in Musk’s hands—and potential political ties shaping decisions—the EU wants homegrown options.
Back in March, SES, Eutelsat, Inmarsat, and Hisdesat began confidential talks with EU governments to establish backup connectivity for Ukraine and beyond. The merger is seen as a defensive move to secure Europe’s communication backbone against unpredictable external pressures.
How Does the SES-Intelsat Alliance Compare to Starlink?
There’s no sugar-coating it: The numbers favor Starlink. SpaceX not only controls launch capacity but also maintains its own manufacturing pipeline, giving it speed and agility. By contrast, SES and Intelsat rely on third-party launch providers and don’t own a low-Earth orbit network—a key disadvantage for latency-sensitive internet services.
Intelsat’s $250 million agreement to access some of Eutelsat’s LEO bandwidth is a stopgap, not a game-changer. Unless the new giant invests in proprietary LEO tech, Starlink’s lead will persist.
How Can Europe Close The Satellite Gap?
Europe’s path to tech sovereignty depends on more than mergers. Other options include ambitious investments in proprietary LEO satellite constellations, coordinated efforts between stakeholders, and leveraging public-private partnerships to accelerate development. Follow the latest on space innovation via ESA and EU updates.
For now, the SES-Intelsat merger is a bold, necessary move. But until Europe can match Starlink’s scale and agility, the race to satellite supremacy is far from over.
Stay ahead as the new space race unfolds—monitor policy moves, track new launches, and demand digital sovereignty.
Satellite Internet 2025: Your Checklist
- Monitor final merger decisions after June 10, 2025
- Compare satellite fleet sizes and capabilities
- Watch for new LEO investments from European firms
- Follow regulatory and security updates from the EU
- Stay alert for Project Kuiper and Starlink expansion news
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