Scenarios

New-generation High Throughput Satellite for Europe and Africa

EUTELSAT KONNECT is a new-generation High Throughput Satellite offering unprecedented operational flexibility. Launched on 16 January 2020, the innovative new satellite is entering operation progressively from November 2020.

Delivering significant resources for broadband services across Europe and Africa, EUTELSAT KONNECT sets a new benchmark for flexibility in High Throughput Satellites.

Providing 75 Gbps of capacity across a network of 65 spotbeams, which together provide quasi-complete coverage of Europe and Sub-Saharan Africa, the satellite will address direct-to-user consumer and enterprise broadband services using dishes from approximately 75 cm.

Delivering high-speed broadband across Europe

Eutelsat has ordered a next-generation VHTS (Very High Throughput Satellite) satellite system named KONNECT VHTS, to support the development of our European fixed broadband and in-flight connectivity businesses. The satellite, due to enter into service in 2022, will be built by Thales Alenia Space, who will develop a satellite and ground segment solution that is the most competitive on the market today. With Ka-band capacity of 500 Gbps, KONNECT VHTS will embark the most powerful on-board digital processor ever put in orbit, offering capacity allocation flexibility, optimal spectrum use, and progressive ground network deployment.

The project will be launched with firm multi-year distribution commitments from Orange and Thales, two key European players and leaders in their businesses. A retail partnership was signed with Orange to address the fixed broadband market in European countries where the Group has a retail presence, and a distribution partnership was inked with Thales to serve notably the government connectivity services market.