- France is reportedly considering sending Eutelsat satellite internet terminals to Iran as part of its options.
- Activists informed AP that Starlink service in Iran is currently free for users who have receivers, while SpaceX has released a firmware update designed to counteract jamming.
- Reuters noted that Starlink runs a constellation exceeding 9,000 satellites, while Eutelsat manages a fleet of just over 600.
France is considering whether to provide Eutelsat satellite internet terminals to Iran following Tehran’s decision to impose a widespread internet blackout amid violent protests. French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot told lawmakers, “We are exploring all options.” 1
This is crucial now because Iran’s shutdown goes beyond simply disrupting social media. Its goal is to block the spread of videos, messaging, and live coordination as the crackdown ramps up.
This technology is transforming satellite broadband into the kind of loophole governments dread: internet access that bypasses local telecom infrastructure, switching hubs, and national ISPs that might be taken down on command.
Eutelsat occupies a surprisingly strategic spot. According to Reuters, the company owns OneWeb and receives support from both the French and British governments. This backing makes it the only other low Earth orbit “constellation” (a network of many satellites working together) besides Elon Musk’s Starlink.
SpaceX is delivering the sharper, immediate impact. Activists told The Associated Press that Starlink has eliminated fees for Iran, effectively making the service free for users with existing receivers. They also rolled out a firmware update designed to help users bypass Iranian jamming efforts. 2
AP reports that the decision came after Iran cut off all telecommunications and internet services for its 85 million citizens on Jan. 8, as protests swelled amid economic chaos and a plunging currency. SpaceX has yet to comment publicly on the change and didn’t respond to requests for comment, the report adds.
The tech is blunt: as long as a Starlink dish stays powered and aimed skyward, it can bypass the national blackout. Mehdi Yahyanejad, from the nonprofit Net Freedom Pioneers, which has helped distribute units in Iran, called Starlink “crucial” for transmitting graphic evidence—like videos from a forensic medical center close to Tehran.
That “dish in the window” scenario carries real risks. According to AP, Starlink is banned in Iran under telecom regulations. Activists fear users might face espionage accusations—offenses punishable by death—if officials link Starlink activity to aiding the U.S. or Israel.
That’s turned into a game of hide and seek. Ahmad Ahmadian from Holistic Resilience told AP that over 50,000 units have likely been smuggled in since 2022. People often disguise terminals as solar panels, keeping them out in the open but camouflaged, since the antenna demands an unobstructed line of sight and is easy to detect otherwise.
Iran’s reaction shows lessons learned from earlier shutdowns. According to AP, security forces have resorted to “extreme tactics” aimed at jamming Starlink radio signals and even GPS networks. After reports reached SpaceX, a firmware update was rolled out in response. Reuters quoted NetBlocks founder Alp Toker, who indicated that Starlink connectivity “appears to be reduced,” implying the interference is having some effect.
This is the point where Eutelsat might, in theory, expand its options—but physics and technology play a crucial role. Reuters notes that Starlink’s constellation of over 9,000 satellites delivers faster speeds compared to Eutelsat’s network of more than 600. Plus, Starlink’s user terminals cost less and are simpler to set up; adviser Carlos Placido also pointed out that OneWeb terminals tend to be bulkier and more susceptible to jamming.
Another major issue here is the heavy dependency risk. The AP cites Julia Voo from the International Institute for Strategic Studies, who warns that depending on a single company as a fallback “creates a single point of failure.” She also points out that no equivalent options exist at the moment.
What remains uncertain—and could quickly spiral—is whether any external effort can scale up against a government ready to seize terminals, jam signals, and criminalize possession. The legal and regulatory landscape is tangled as well: Al Jazeera reports that Iran has already brought the dispute to the UN telecom body (the ITU), which ruled against Starlink’s unauthorized rollout. 3
Right now, Iran’s blackout is serving as a real-world trial for satellite internet—both as a means for protests and a geopolitical weapon. What comes next might hinge less on rockets and more on logistics: who can smuggle in terminals, keep them under the radar, and maintain service when jammers appear.
