UK-backed satellite firm OneWeb to merge with French rival

Merger might look like “classic government blunder” but is the “right” move, says former adviser

OneWeb, the British satellite firm rescued from bankruptcy by the UK government, has agreed a merger with French rival Eutelsat, according to a 26 July government announcement.

The government said the merger meant the UK would “now have a significant stake in what will become a single, powerful, global player” in space-based internet connectivity, which could “compete in the highly competitive global satellite industry”.