Orange, Telesat redefine global satellite connectivity

Global telecom leader Orange has entered into a strategic partnership with Telesat, a major satellite operator, to enhance satellite connectivity options

Through this agreement, Telesat will establish a Lightspeed Landing Station at Orange’s teleport in Bercenay-en-Othe, France. This station will connect to Orange’s Paris-based point of presence (PoP) via its Wholesale International Private Line (IPL). Additionally, Orange has committed to a capacity agreement for Telesat Lightspeed’s Low Earth Orbit (LEO) service, which will be incorporated into Orange’s global service portfolio for businesses and telecom providers.

Pioneering satellite partnership

Emmanuel Rochas, CEO of Orange Wholesale International, stated, "I’m greatly honored that Telesat has chosen Orange’s Bercenay-en-Othe Teleport as the first European gateway for their Telesat Lightspeed network. More than that, I’m excited by the new partnership that we’re entering into, which says much about the expertise of Orange Wholesale as a space network operator and our capacity to offer world-class ground infrastructure for the most advanced satellite constellations. We look forward to expanding our connectivity solutions with Telesat Lightspeed, enhancing the resilience of our network for mobile backhauling, crisis response, and remote connectivity."

Telesat’s Chief Commercial Officer, Glenn Katz, highlighted the significance of this collaboration, added, "This strategic partnership highlights our commitment to delivering resilient connectivity solutions through our advanced, fully integrated space and terrestrial infrastructure. We are honored that Telesat Lightspeed will help improve connectivity for Orange’s customers in remote areas in Europe, Africa, and other locations throughout the world. Our Telesat Lightspeed solution has been designed to meet telco standards, and we are pleased to have Orange, one of the largest global telcos, as a Telesat Lightspeed strategic partner."

Telesat Lightspeed’s Carrier Ethernet services will provide reliable, high-performance connectivity with service level agreements. Telecom operators will have the ability to configure and manage their services in real-time, dynamically allocating capacity without direct satellite operator intervention. The network is designed with a Zero-Trust Security Architecture, aligning with the latest industry security standards.

Orange operates ground stations in 26 countries and territories, with its Bercenay-en-Othe teleport playing a key role in delivering advanced connectivity solutions. This partnership strengthens Orange’s service offerings in underserved regions by integrating a secure, low-latency, and seamless satellite connectivity option into its existing multi-orbit satellite network.

By combining Telesat’s cutting-edge satellite innovations with Orange’s 45 years of expertise in gateway and connectivity services, this collaboration enhances global digital infrastructure resilience while furthering digital inclusion in remote areas. 

Also read: Orange & Eutelsat’s bold plan: Internet everywhere?