Eutelsat’s KONNECT VHTS satellite is now active, bringing 500 Gbps of Ka-band capacity into service over Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East. The satellite is the largest ever orbited in Europe and includes what Eutelsat describes as “the most powerful on-board digital processor ever put in orbit, offering capacity allocation flexibility, optimal spectrum use, and progressive ground network deployment.”
With its ability to accommodate joint GEO-LEO services, specifically in zones where demand is highly concentrated, EUTELSAT KONNECT VHTS represents a key asset in the Group’s offering going forward. Moreover, its substantial precommitments are a testament to the significant demand for satellite connectivity, even in developed markets. – Eva Berneke, Eutelsat Group CEO
The KONNECT VHTS satellite was first announced in 2018, with plans to enter service in 2021. It came along as Eutelsat and Viasat‘s joint venture and partnership in Europe was collapsing. Ultimately the two parted ways, with Viasat buying out the Ka-SAT satellite and planning its own future path for the ViaSat-3 constellation, separate from Eutelsat’s KONNECT and KONNECT VHTS roadmap.
And today, though it is a couple years behind schedule, the satellite is fully operational, something which unfortunately cannot be said for Viasat’s new constellation.
Eutelsat will combine the 500 Gbps of capacity KONNECT VHTS delivers with other satellites in the region, supporting fixed terrestrial broadband services along with mobility use cases. Mobility use cases have seen strong demand for Eutelsat of late, especially in the maritime market on its 10B and Quantum satellites. Eutelsat expects that growth to maintain a double-digit pace year-over-year, with a boost from integration of the OneWeb LEO constellation into its operations.
The OneWeb backlog stands at approximately $1 billion, of which $275 million is tied to Eutelsat from prior to the acquisition.
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