Delivering satellite connectivity resilience on Earth for Eutelasat/OneWeb with LiveSpace Ground Segment

Eutelsat is a world leader in satellite communications, operating the first fully integrated multi-orbit satellite system on the market. Its fleet combines 31 geostationary (GEO) satellites with the OneWeb constellation of more than 650 satellites in Low Earth Orbit (LEO), delivering seamless, resilient and secure connectivity on land, at sea and in the air for governments, enterprises and telecom operators worldwide.

To support the continued expansion of its global LEO network, Eutelsat sought a strategically located ground facility capable of delivering exceptional availability and operational continuity in the greater Caribbean and Equatorial Atlantic region. We spoke with Harley McDonald, Regional Manager at Eutelsat, about why the company chose Orange Wholesale and services now marketed as LiveSpace Ground Segment for this mission-critical project.

Customer needs: reliable, scalable, resilient, geographically diverse connectivity

"Orange's ability to provide reliable, scalable, and geographically diverse connectivity aligned well with our requirements to support a global Low Earth Orbit satellite network," explains McDonald. Eutelsat was looking for more than a connectivity provider — it needed a true partner capable of supporting deployment and sustained growth of its services across multiple regions, backed by proven operational capabilities and technical expertise.

Project delivery: turning a complex location into a strategic advantage for satellite connectivity

The chosen site in Martinique offered exceptional strategic value — close to submarine cables, a deepwater port and an airport, and fully within European sovereignty. Orange Wholesale's Satellite Factory embraced the opportunity to build a fully bespoke facility from the ground up, designing custom access infrastructure and securing a public land lease through close collaboration with local authorities.

Orange's radio-frequency experts worked hand-in-hand with neighboring stakeholders to ensure smooth coexistence, while a thoughtful, sustainability-driven approach allowed the teleport to be designed alongside local agricultural activity — a creative solution that turned an environmental consideration into a showcase of Orange Wholesale's ability to innovate within local ecosystems.

"Orange demonstrated flexibility in adapting to changing requirements, efficiently coordinating across multiple regions, and providing alternative delivery paths where necessary," McDonald notes — a reflection of Orange's agile, solution-oriented approach throughout the project.

Bringing this ambitious project to life required real cross-functional strength: Orange Wholesale mobilized experts across legal, regulatory, technical and financial domains — spanning international, national and local teams — to co-design a solution perfectly tailored to Eutelsat's needs. Within months, a comprehensive ten-year agreement was in place, covering construction, hosting, project management and operations.

On the ground, a dedicated team of construction, legal and regulatory specialists worked hand-in-hand with local contractors to bring the vision to life — from initial surveying to final landscaping. Orange's deep local roots in Martinique proved to be a genuine accelerator, enabling smooth coordination with local stakeholders and turning a complex undertaking into a successful, on-the-ground reality.

Customer service: Proactive project management is key

According to McDonald, Orange Wholesale's success rested on "proactive project management, close coordination between technical and operational teams," combined with genuine flexibility and responsiveness at every stage. This was reinforced by consistent transparency and open communication, which strengthened trust and reinforced a truly collaborative, long-term relationship between the two companies.

This combination of committed top management and locally rooted expertise proved to be a winning formula — one that continues to define the strength of the Orange-Eutelsat partnership today.

ROI: Measurable, mission-critical benefits

Since operations began, the results speak for themselves. "The facility has consistently delivered the levels of reliability, availability, and operational support required for a mission-critical satellite communications environment," says McDonald. Beyond day-to-day performance, the Martinique Satellite Network Portal (SNP) has proven its exceptional value in crisis situations: "Its robust infrastructure, built-in redundancy, and Orange-supplied 24/7 operational support help strengthen the resilience of the Eutelsat OneWeb network," providing "an important layer of assurance that connectivity can be maintained when it is needed most."

It's also worth noting that new employees on the client side now naturally turn to Orange's teams for project insights — a genuine testament to the trust, stability and continuity Orange brings to a fast-moving industry.

Opportunities: Deepening collaboration globally on Ground Segment projects

Both companies see this as the foundation for continued growth. "We appreciate our ongoing partnership with Orange and look forward to continuing our collaboration as both organizations expand and evolve their global connectivity capabilities," McDonald concludes.

For satellite operators and telecom players evaluating ground segment partners, this project beautifully illustrates what Orange Wholesale's LiveSpace Ground Segment solution delivers in practice: local expertise combined with global network reach, sovereign infrastructure, flexible commercial models, and the operational excellence that mission-critical satellite networks deserve.