Eutelsat Signs Connectivity Deal with the UK

The UK government chose Eutelsat Group to deliver low Earth orbit satellite connectivity covering a host of services globally. The deal should provide a key revenue stream for the company and strengthen the resilience of official communications.

Eutelsat’s deal with the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) covers connectivity for embassies, high commissions and consulates, along with other UK government activities. Systems integrator NSSLGlobal is on board to provide managed services for the FCDO connectivity.

Service is due to be delivered from Eutelsat OneWeb LEO satellites, with relevant user equipment deployed: the company made particular mention of FCDO preparedness and response to bad weather in territories located in the Caribbean. Mike Astell, CEO of FCDO Services, said the arrangement builds on the department’s long history of providing secure satellite communications.

He expects the tie-up with Eutelsat and NSSLGlobal to enable the government to deliver rapid, secure connectivity anywhere in the world. Cyril Dujardin, president of Eutelsat’s Connectivity Business Unit, said the deal highlights the critical role LEO services play in providing secure, low-latency communications for government operations. The UK government is an investor in Eutelsat and helped to rescue OneWeb before the companies combined operations.