For years, Ukrainian officials have hinted that they are Working on Starlink alternatives. But the truth is, there are not many options at the table.
Most discussed is OneWeb, a satellite communications network owned by French satellite operator Eutelsat. Like Starlink, the network relies on small, ground-based terminals, whose total constellations include approximately 630 low-earth orbital satellites, providing extremely fast connectivity and degradation. More than satellites in orbit at higher altitudes.
Eutelsat spokesman Joanna Darlington said OneWeb is providing coverage across Europe and the technology has already been deployed in Ukraine, but she refused to share details. Still, Ukraine has over 40,000 Starlink terminals. According to the reportso replacing that network with OneWeb alternatives cannot be done overnight. “It’s possible, but it’s not instant coffee,” says Darlington. (The company claims that Eutelsat’s OneWeb coverage in Europe is already a rival to Starlink.)
Starlink devices are created by SpaceX, while OneWeb devices are provided by third-party companies. “We have stock of devices that can be deployed,” Darlington emphasizes, but adds, “someone has to pay for it.”
Poland and USAIDIt has helped fund the previous use of Ukraine’s Starlink network. Eutelsat is now Consultation with the European Union One gem could be expanded in Ukraine.
Barry Evans, professor of information systems engineering at Surrey University, said OneWeb has promises, but it’s difficult to see Ukrainians rely on Starlink, especially in battlefield situations.
“We have it [OneWeb terminal] It’s a very complicated process in college, in that it’s actually connected and installed,” he says. Terminals tend to be bulkier than Starlink, potentially difficult to move quickly in competing zones, he adds, suggesting that OneWeb terminals could be deployed better at fixed locations in buildings, for example.
“The other challenge is that OneWeb terminals cost thousands of dollars instead of hundreds. [for Starlink]Quilty says. Still, he adds, OneWeb is now the “only option” that Ukraine can use right away as an option.
That may change in the end. Amazon’s project Kuiper, Starlink rival, We were able to launch our first satellite later this year. In the end, Project Kuiper has Over 3,000 satellite. But Evans points out that Amazon is also a US company. If the US government is putting pressure on domestic businesses to leave Ukraine, Project Kuiper may not be of much help in the short term.
The European Union is working on it The unique sign of communication satellitescalled Iris2. However, they will not operate until 2030, and only have satellites in about 300 and low Earth orbit. The size of a satellite constellation affects the connection speed and coverage it provides. For example, Starlink already has it Over 7,000 A network may be required, but satellites in orbit Total of approximately 10,000 Before that coverage becomes truly global. SpaceX suggests that it could be released Over 40,000 satellitesif granted permission to do so by the International Telecommunication Union of the United Nations.
Andrew Cavalier, a space technology analyst at technology intelligence company ABI Research, says SpaceX is skeptical that it will stop Ukrainians from accessing Starlink, but the current suspicion of SpaceX’s reliability is the “wake-up call” of the country that uses the service. Evans agrees. “The situation in Ukraine has brought that to the forefront a bit,” he says. “People are very concerned about the advantage Starlink has.”
In Ukraine, Ada Wordsworth says he doesn’t recognize any potential alternatives to Starlink.
As Russia appears to be encouraged lately, she says a general sense of hopelessness has been silent among locals who have returned to a village near the frontline. Many people don’t have anywhere else to go.
When asked what she would say to Elon Musk, she replies: “This is not a game. It’s not a decision to be ruled out despite the bitterness, it’s not a sense of distorted power. This is the life of real people.”
