Satellite Internet

French satellite operator Eutelsat’s shares dropped 7.8% after SoftBank halved its stake, selling 26 million shares. The move follows SoftBank’s shift toward AI investments. Eutelsat, which merged with OneWeb to rival Starlink, operates 600+ satellites versus Starlink’s 6,750, and has struggled in the U.S. market. A €1.35 billion French‑state injection makes the government its largest shareholder. The firm now targets high‑value B2B services—government, aviation, emergency and maritime—seeking stable cash flow amid European digital‑sovereignty support.

Amazon (AMZN) is initiating its Amazon Leo “enterprise preview” program, challenging SpaceX’s Starlink in the satellite internet market. Select businesses will test Amazon’s hardware and software to gather feedback before a broader commercial rollout. Amazon aims to deliver high-speed, low-latency internet using a constellation of 3,236 LEO satellites. The company, which has already launched over 150 satellites, boasts partnerships with JetBlue and others, and is shipping “Pro” and “Ultra” terminals, with the latter promising 1 Gbps download speeds. The phased rollout allows for scalability and optimization.

JetBlue Airways will partner with Amazon’s Project Kuiper to enhance its in-flight Wi-Fi experience, integrating the LEO satellite service into approximately 25% of its fleet starting in 2027. This marks Amazon’s first airline customer for Kuiper, challenging Starlink’s dominance in the satellite internet market. JetBlue will continue its existing partnership with Viasat. The deployment is driven by increasing demand for faster, more reliable in-flight connectivity and follows similar initiatives by other airlines like Delta, Hawaiian, United, and American.