Rendition of the Konnect satellites. Photo: Thales Alenia Space

Orange purchased all available capacity on the Eutelsat KONNECT satellite from Eutelsat Communications, which covers the entirety of France. Orange’s customers will receive high-speed fixed satellite broadband service starting in January 2021. The service will be distributed by Orange’s Nordnet subsidiary, a French distributor of satellite internet services.

Eutelsat launched the KONNECT satellite in January. KONNECT has a total capacity of 75 Gbps, with 100 Mbps coverage over 15 countries in Europe and 40 countries in Africa.

The agreement comes against the backdrop of the Plan France Haut/Très Haut Débit strategy adopted by the French government, with the aim of rolling-out high-speed broadband of at least 30 mbps to the entire French territory by 2022.

“The period of lockdown we have just experienced has demonstrated more than ever the need for connectivity throughout France,” said Michel Jumeau, Executive Vice President of Orange France. “With this agreement with Eutelsat, Orange is proud to continue to fight against the digital divide by offering very high-speed fixed broadband throughout the country”.