Bharti’s Satellite Gambit—Will This ₹313 Cr Leap Redefine India’s Space Game?

Image Source: Inc42

Bharti Space Ltd, the space venture of Bharti Enterprises, has announced a strategic investment of €31.4 million (₹313 crore) in French satellite operator Eutelsat, reinforcing its commitment to the fastevolving satellite communications market. The move is part of Eutelsat’s ambitious €1.35 billion capital raise, aimed at expanding its satellite constellation and reducing debt.

Key Highlights:

Capital Raise Strategy: Eutelsat is raising funds through a €716 million reserved capital increase and a €634 million rights issue, with Bharti, the French government, CMA CGM, and FSP among the anchor investors.
Stake Realignment: Postinvestment, Bharti’s stake in Eutelsat will adjust to 18.7%, down from 24%, while the French state becomes the largest shareholder with a 29.99% holding.
Strategic Timing: The investment comes amid heightened activity in the LEO (Low Earth Orbit) satellite space, especially in India, where OneWeb (now part of Eutelsat) awaits spectrum allocation to launch services.
DualTrack Strategy: Bharti is hedging its bets across GEO and LEO satellite ecosystems, having also partnered with SpaceX’s Starlink to bring satellite broadband to India.
Market Outlook: The global LEO B2B connectivity market is projected to grow at a 28% CAGR through 2029, offering massive upside for early movers like Eutelsat.