Bharti OneWeb Partnership Grows Stronger with Fresh ₹1,200 Cr Investment

Bharti Space has announced a fresh investment of INR 1,204 crore in France-based satellite operator Eutelsat to strengthen its partnership with OneWeb, the Mint reported. This move aims to strengthen its satellite internet ambitions and expand its footprint in global connectivity. The investment is expected to further the goal of expanding low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellite services in India and other key global markets.
However, in a recent update shared on Thursday, Eutelsat increased the total fundraising size to INR 15,000 crore. This came after the UK government committed to participating in the round. The revised plan now includes around INR 8,304 crore via the reserve capital increase and INR 6,739 crore through the rights issue.

Strengthening the Bharti OneWeb Partnership

This new investment highlights the growing importance of the Bharti and OneWeb partnership, which began when the company became one of the key investors in OneWeb, a satellite communications company. OneWeb later merged with Eutelsat to form a global entity focused on delivering fast and secure internet from space.
Bharti Enterprises’ space arm is also investing an additional ₹1,200 crore in Eutelsat.
This comes on top of the INR 300 crore it had earlier committed through a reserve capital increase. Bharti Space currently holds a 24.09% stake in Eutelsat Group.
On June 19, Eutelsat announced plans to raise INR 11,250 crore. The funding was to come from an INR 6,865 crore reserve capital increase and an INR 6,330 crore rights issue.
The joint venture between Eutelsat Bharti combines Bharti’s telecom reach with Eutelsat’s satellite expertise, creating a strong contender in the race for LEO internet services. With this new financial boost, Bharti aims to solidify its position in the global satellite communication industry.

Boost to LEO Satellite Internet in India

India represents a massive market for satellite-based internet services. Many remote and underserved regions still lack reliable broadband connectivity. By tapping into LEO satellite internet in India, Bharti and Eutelsat aim to fill this gap.
The partnership is working closely with the Indian government and regulators to get necessary approvals for commercial service rollout. Bharti’s chairman, Sunil Bharti Mittal, has also emphasized the importance of affordable connectivity as a core focus for OneWeb’s mission.
With this renewed investment, the Bharti Eutelsat and OneWeb venture plans to begin offering services in India by early next year, focusing on education, banking, and rural health services, all of which require reliable internet access.

Positioning for the Future

The satellite internet race is no longer just about connectivity; it’s about digital inclusion, national security, and economic growth. The company’s latest investment not only reinforces its commitment to the Bharti and OneWeb partnership but also signals its readiness to compete in the future of digital infrastructure.
Sunil Bharti Mittal, co-chairman of Eutelsat Group, in the Thursday statement, “Today, governments require secure and reliable sovereign connectivity solutions, and Eutelsat is uniquely positioned to meet this need. Eutelsat’s OneWeb was the first complete low-earth orbit constellation, and the company is the first and only provider able to provide customers with access to both low-earth orbit and geostationary orbit services. This new capital injection will allow Eutelsat to go further and faster in developing innovative new technologies and services under the leadership of its new chief executive, Jean-François Fallacher.”