Europe Seeks a Viable Starlink Alternative for Ukraine

While Ukraine currently relies heavily on Starlink, experts believe that Europe's satellite infrastructure, though fragmented, could at least partially replace the service.

According to a Financial Times report, Europe is working to help Ukraine find an alternative to Elon Musk’s Starlink.

The four largest European satellite companies—France’s Eutelsat, Luxembourg’s SES, Spain’s Hispasat, and Viasat, the UK-based owner of Inmarsat—have reportedly been in talks with European leaders about boosting internet connectivity in Ukraine.

Since the war began, Ukraine has depended significantly on satellite internet services. The country’s internet infrastructure is vulnerable to damage from ongoing combat, and Russian forces frequently use jamming techniques to disrupt reliable connections. According to Ukraine’s Digital Minister Mykhailo Fedorov, approximately 40,000 Starlink terminals are currently in use across the country.

This development follows reports last month claiming that the U.S. threatened to cut off Ukraine’s access to Starlink unless it agreed to a deal granting access to its mineral resources. Elon Musk strongly denied these allegations, dismissing the initial Reuters report as "legacy media lies" in a post on X (formerly Twitter).

Can Europe Provide a Starlink Backup?

Despite Starlink's crucial role in Ukraine’s infrastructure, European companies may still offer partial solutions if access is disrupted. The Financial Times reported that a "patchwork" of European-owned satellite services could provide backup for critical operations, such as government infrastructure and healthcare.

However, this approach has significant limitations. Luke Palmer-Cira, research director at consulting firm Analysys Mason, told the FT that none of these alternatives can match Starlink’s level of service.

Currently, Eutelsat is one of the few satellite networks that offers global internet coverage comparable to Starlink. Its stock prices surged last week following a high-profile debate between Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

Europe's Long-Term Satellite Plans

Europe is working to reduce its dependence on Starlink by developing its own satellite internet infrastructure, but this will take time. The European Union plans to launch its IRIS² low-Earth orbit satellite network in 2027, but it isn’t expected to be fully operational until the early 2030s.

However, concerns over Ukraine's reliance on Starlink are not limited to European leaders. In recent weeks, grassroots efforts have emerged on Reddit and X, urging users to boycott Starlink if access is cut off for Ukraine.