FILE PHOTO: A satellite model is placed on Eutelsat logo in this picture illustration taken April 4, 2022. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File PhotoSTOCKHOLM : Eutelsat, the world's third-biggest satellite operator by revenue, launched 20 satellites for its communications network on Sunday, using Elon Musk's SpaceX in its first move since the merger of two European companies last year.
The Paris-based group formed by the merger in September last year of France's Eutelsat and Britain's OneWeb has a constellation of over 600 low earth orbit satellites that cater to broadcasters, telecom companies and radio stations. The company, which has a backlog of orders of $4 billion, is waiting for countries such as India and Saudi Arabia to open up.