Eutelsat blocked from selling infrastructure as France tightens control
Paris intervenes to stop Eutelsat divesting ground-station assets, arguing that full control over satellite infrastructure remains vital for national security and technological independence.
France has blocked the planned divestment of Eutelsat’s ground-station infrastructure, arguing that control over satellite facilities remains essential for national sovereignty.
The aborted sale to EQT Infrastructure VI had been announced as a significant transaction, yet the company revealed that the required conditions had not been met.
Officials in France say that the infrastructure forms part of a strategic system used for both civilian and military purposes.
The finance minister described Eutelsat as Europe’s only genuine competitor to Starlink, further strengthening the view that France must retain authority over ground-station operations rather than allow external ownership.
Eutelsat stressed that the proposed transfer concerned only passive facilities such as buildings and site management rather than active control systems. Even so, French authorities believe that end-to-end stewardship of satellite ground networks is essential to safeguard operational independence.
The company says the failed sale will not hinder its capital plans, including the deployment of hundreds of replacement satellites for the OneWeb constellation.
Investors had not commented by publication time, yet the decision highlights France’s growing assertiveness in satellite governance and broader European debates on technological autonomy.
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