In a strategic move to deepen its global connectivity footprint, Orange has inked a multi-year agreement with the Eutelsat Group, securing access to the OneWeb low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellite constellation. The arrangement aims to significantly enhance Orange’s service capabilities, especially for enterprise and government clients in remote or underserved regions, notably across Sub-Saharan Africa and the Middle East.
The deal unveiled on Thursday will see Orange integrate OneWeb’s expansive satellite reach with its terrestrial infrastructure. This hybrid approach ensures more robust, secure, and uninterrupted connectivity—a boon for regions where traditional networks often struggle to provide consistent service. The financial specifics of the agreement have not been made public.
Beyond enterprise solutions, Orange will harness the LEO network to support mobile backhaul—a critical component for maintaining mobile network reliability and performance in less accessible areas. The group maintains mobile operations in eight European countries and 18 across Africa and the Middle East. These include Egypt, Côte d’Ivoire, Senegal, Jordan, and Madagascar.
This latest development builds upon an earlier agreement from March 2025, when Orange Middle East and Africa committed to leasing capacity on the Eutelsat Konnect satellite. That initiative targeted broadband rollouts in key markets such as Jordan, Senegal, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Côte d’Ivoire.
Commenting on the partnership, Jean Louis Le Roux, Executive Vice President of Orange International Networks, described the collaboration as “crucial for driving our customers’ digital evolution.”
Meanwhile, Cyril Dujardin, who heads Eutelsat’s connectivity division, highlighted the growing relevance of LEO solutions in the telecoms sector, stating: “LEO technology is fast becoming a core pillar for global telecommunications operators.”
