With Elon Musk's Starlink role under scrutiny, EU sends questionnaire on SES-Intelsat merger

Time of India

12-05-2025

EU antitrust regulators
are ramping up their examination of European satellite operator SES's $3.1 billion proposed acquisition of Intelsat, a deal aimed at bolstering Europe's position in the global satellite communications market. The European Commission has issued a detailed questionnaire to customers and competitors, probing whether
Elon Musk
's Starlink, owned by
SpaceX
, poses a credible competitive threat to the merging companies. The responses, due today, will play a pivotal role in determining whether the deal sails through, requires concessions, or faces a full-scale investigation.
SES, which operates a fleet of approximately 70 satellites across multiple orbits, provides critical services such as video broadcasting, government communications, and broadband internet. Intelsat, a Luxembourg-based giant, complements SES with its extensive global satellite network. The merger is seen as a strategic move to create a European satellite powerhouse capable of competing with U.S.-based giants like Starlink and Amazon's
Project Kuiper
, both of which are rapidly expanding their low-earth orbit (LEO) constellations to deliver high-speed internet globally.
The
European Union
is keen to foster a robust alternative to American dominance in satellite communications, particularly as geopolitical tensions highlight the need for secure and independent connectivity infrastructure. However, the Commission is wary of the merger reducing competition in an already concentrated market. Its questionnaire, obtained by Reuters, zeroes in on whether LEO satellite providers like Starlink and Eutelsat's OneWeb are viable rivals to SES and Intelsat, which primarily rely on geostationary (GEO) and medium-earth orbit (MEO) satellites.
Regulators are asking whether LEO operators are actively competing in tenders and securing customer contracts, and how their growing presence might reshape the satellite capacity market over the next five years. Unlike traditional GEO satellites, which orbit at higher altitudes and offer wide coverage,
LEO satellites
provide lower latency and faster data speeds, making them increasingly attractive for broadband and real-time applications. Starlink, with thousands of satellites already in orbit, has disrupted the industry by offering direct-to-consumer internet services and securing contracts with governments and businesses.
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The Commission is also probing the bargaining power of SES and Intelsat's customers. Respondents were asked whether they can negotiate favorable terms for two-way satellite capacity and if switching to alternative providers, such as Starlink or OneWeb, is feasible. This line of inquiry reflects concerns that the merger could strengthen SES-Intelsat's market dominance, potentially leading to higher prices or reduced service quality for customers, including telecom operators, broadcasters, and government agencies.
Europe's Satellite Ambitions vs Global Competition
The
SES-Intelsat merger
is more than a corporate transaction; it's a critical piece of Europe's strategy to reclaim ground in the space race. For decades,
European satellite operators
like SES and Eutelsat have been global leaders, but the rise of U.S.-based LEO constellations has shifted the competitive landscape. Starlink's aggressive expansion—coupled with SpaceX's reusable rocket technology, which slashes launch costs—has put pressure on traditional operators. Amazon's Project Kuiper, though still in its early stages, looms as another formidable challenger.
From a European perspective, consolidating SES and Intelsat could create economies of scale, enabling the combined entity to invest in next-generation technologies, including LEO satellites, to compete with Starlink's speed and Kuiper's ambition. However, critics argue that the merger risks stifling competition within Europe, where fewer players could mean less innovation and higher costs for consumers. Smaller satellite operators and new entrants may struggle to challenge a SES-Intelsat behemoth, particularly if it leverages its market power to secure exclusive contracts.
The Commission's focus on Starlink's competitive impact also raises questions about the broader dynamics of the space industry. While Starlink's LEO model offers advantages in speed and coverage, its direct-to-consumer approach and vertically integrated structure (with SpaceX controlling launches) make it a unique player. Traditional operators like SES and Intelsat, which serve enterprise and government clients, argue that their services remain distinct, catering to specialized needs like secure military communications and broadcast distribution. Yet, as Starlink expands into these markets, the lines are blurring.
What's Next
The European Commission has set June 10, 2025, as the deadline for its preliminary review. If the responses to the questionnaire indicate that Starlink and other LEO providers are sufficiently competitive, the deal may be cleared with minimal conditions. However, if regulators find that the merger could harm competition—particularly in the supply of two-way satellite capacity—a deeper investigation could delay or even derail the transaction. SES and Intelsat may need to offer remedies, such as divesting assets or guaranteeing access to their infrastructure for competitors.
As the deadline approaches, the outcome of this probe will not only shape the future of SES and Intelsat but also signal how Europe plans to navigate the high-stakes, high-orbit world of global satellite communications. With Starlink's shadow looming large, the EU faces a delicate balancing act: fostering a strong European champion without sacrificing the benefits of a competitive market.
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