Eutelsat Partners With Thaicom To Launch GEO Telecom Sat

Eutelsat, the French satellite fleet operator has announced a collaboration with a regional satellite operator in Thailand to commission a high throughput geostationary telecom spacecraft intended to serve Asia's growing connectivity demands.

Eutelsat's Asia subsidiary has inked an agreement to secure 50% of the satellite's capacity over its operational lifespan from Space Tech Innovation Limited, a satellite procurement company under the umbrella of Thailand's Thaicom.

The satellite, scheduled for launch in 2027, will be positioned at 119.5 degrees East, providing Eutelsat with an additional 50 gigabits per second (Gbps) of capacity across the Asian region.

A notable feature of this joint venture is the integration of a software-defined payload on the satellite. This innovation will enable the operators to dynamically adapt and tailor their services in response to evolving customer needs, according to a press release issued by both companies.

“This strategic partnership with Thaicom to leverage the 119.5° East position, perfectly located to address the entire Asian region, represents a great opportunity for Eutelsat as well as an innovative investment approach. We are confident in Thaicom’s experience as a leading satellite operator in Asia with over 30 years’ experience in the industry and its expertise in the Asia-Pacific market. This new generation satellite, fully compatible with our future LEO-GEO offer will enable Eutelsat to address the dynamic growth in connectivity demand in the region.” - Eva Berneke, Chief Executive Officer of Eutelsat

“I am very delighted that we have secured a long-term partnership with Eutelsat, one of the largest global satellite operators in the world. This partnership is strategic for our new satellite project at the orbital slot of 119.5 degrees East as it not only provides a long-term and secure utilization of 50% of our new satellite, but more importantly, it will create synergies between the two organizations to capture new growth opportunities in the future. This is an important milestone for Thaicom as we continue our journey to be a leading space tech company in the region.” - Patompob (Nile) Suwansiri, Thaicom’s Chief Executive Officer

Thaicom currently owns two satellites after recently having to relinquish two other satellites to the Thai government as a result of the conclusion of a 30-year concession period.

This development comes in a backdrop of heightened competition in the satellite industry, particularly in the Asia-Pacific region. Eutelsat and Thaicom's move to join forces underscores the industry's drive to remain competitive in the face of burgeoning Low Earth Orbit broadband networks, such as SpaceX's Starlink and OneWeb, which are poised to reshape the connectivity landscape.

As Eutelsat grapples with a gradual decline in its traditional satellite TV business, the company has been under pressure to discover cost-effective avenues for its transition into connectivity services. This partnership with Thaicom, coupled with the anticipated OneWeb acquisition valued at $3.4 billion, positions Eutelsat to steer its strategic trajectory towards a robust and comprehensive connectivity portfolio.