Constellation Technologies & Operations, a French startup developing a constellation of satellites to help telecom operators deliver high-speed, low-latency internet access from space, has secured €9.3 million in funding.
The investment came from Expansion, a fund dedicated to New Space and New Air Mobility, and the French Tech Seed fund managed by Bpifrance, which recently invested in Gamestream and Kurma Partners). This investment has come on behalf of the French government, as part of the France 2030 plan in addition to its historical investor.
This funding will enable the company to conduct its first end-to-end connectivity tests on the ground and in orbit. It will also support the detailed engineering studies of the first two complete satellites, which are scheduled for launch by the end of 2026.
Furthermore, the company plans to industrialise and mass-produce the satellites, user terminals, and the overall system, with a phased rollout of its space-based connectivity service. It expects the infrastructure to be fully deployed by the decade’s end, offering global coverage and enabling telecom operators to provide their customers with high-speed, low-latency internet access from space.
Space-based internet
The global market for high-speed, low-latency internet from space is expanding rapidly, driven by the convergence in performance and pricing between terrestrial and satellite connectivity for the first time in telecommunications history. As per a 2023 GSMA Intelligence report, this market represents a potential $35 billion annual revenue opportunity for telecom operators by 2035.
However, new telecom entrants are largely capturing this growing market, especially US projects like SpaceX’s Starlink and Amazon’s Kuiper, along with Chinese ambitions. These players are already developing or operating satellite B2C constellations, with several thousands of satellites, which could reach tens of thousands in the future.
To remain competitive, telecom operators need solutions that allow them to tap into this new space-based connectivity market and provide internet access from space.
Founded in 2022 by Charles Delfieux, Constellation Technologies & Operations aims to address this challenge by developing a B2B2C constellation of satellites that places telecom operators at the center of the value chain.
The company’s goal is to enable universal internet access, which is essential for social and economic development, by allowing telecom operators worldwide to offer their customers high-performance, affordable, and sustainable internet access from space, particularly in areas where terrestrial networks are unavailable.
Currently, it employs around 30 people employees across its offices in Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines and Toulouse, France.
Charles Delfieux, CEO and founder of Constellation Technologies & Operations stated: “We are thrilled to have secured this funding, which will allow us to continue developing our constellation and help telecom operators unlock the enormous potential of space-based connectivity. Our mission is to bridge the digital divide and provide universal internet access, empowering telecom operators to serve customers even in the most remote areas.”
Investor Charles Beigbeder, Co-Founder of Expansion, said: “Constellation Technologies & Operations represents a unique opportunity to support disruptive innovation in space connectivity infrastructure. Their approach ensures that telecom operators can fully participate in this new market while addressing the environmental challenges facing the space sector.”
Claire Waché, Senior Investment Officer at Bpifrance, added: “We’re pleased to support Constellation Technologies & Operations, as its technological innovations around ultra-low orbit and the use of 5G spectrum are key to enable telecoms operators to enter and compete in the space connectivity market. This investment reflects Bpifrance’s mission to support disruptive innovation in strategic sectors”.
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