EY LEO Satellites
Published: 02 September 2025

The evolving role of LEO satellites in Europe’s connectivity future (PDF)

PDF Report: LEO satellites are transforming broadband in Europe, bridging gaps with fibre/5G and unlocking new ecosystem opportunities.

In brief:

  • Shift to LEO satellites offer low-latency, high-capacity broadband, outperforming traditional GEO satellites for modern connectivity needs.​
  • Starlink leads Europe’s LEO market, with OneWeb, Kuiper, and others racing to catch up despite regulatory hurdles.​
  • Adoption is small but growing fast in rural Europe, with LEO edging closer to fibre-level performance.​
  • Four futures are possible: from rural-only use to full-scale fibre/5G competition - driven by tech, spectrum, and adoption.​
  • For telcos, LEO is both a disruptive threat and a chance to partner on coverage, resilience, and new services.​
  • Investors, see LEO unlocking opportunities across the value chain — from ground terminals, chipsets to launch, integration, and cloud partnerships.

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