- Integrated LEO satellite services: NSSLGlobal will provide hardware, training, airtime access, and 24/7 support, enhancing connectivity speeds up to US $200 Mbps.
- Global reach and crisis readiness: The partnership boosts communication resilience across diplomatic missions, especially in disaster-prone or remote British territories.
What happened: UK embassies upgrade satellite links with NSSLGlobal deal
NSSLGlobal has entered into a major contract with FCDO Services—the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office provider—to enhance satellite-based communications for the UK’s diplomatic, development, consular and disaster-response teams worldwide.
The deal includes delivering satellite hardware, airtime, training and round‑the‑clock technical support, as well as integrating Eutelsat OneWeb’s LEO broadband services alongside existing connectivity solutions. The technology promises resilient, very low-latency broadband with speeds up to US $200 Mbps—enabling rapid deployment even in remote or crisis-stricken areas.
This move significantly upgrades the UK government’s ability to maintain secure communication channels during emergencies or in areas without reliable terrestrial infrastructure. OneWeb LEO’s low latency and high throughput are invaluable in fast-moving crises or natural disasters affecting British embassies and overseas territories. Notably, the technology will support hurricane preparedness and response across Caribbean territories, strengthening regional resilience.
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Why it’s important
FCDO Services’ CEO Mike Astell describes the deal as a “trusted partnership” that assures diplomatic personnel remain connected in even the most challenging contexts. Similarly, Eutelsat’s Cyril Dujardin highlights LEO’s critical role in enabling secure, low-latency communications for government operations. Sally‑anne Ray, NSSLGlobal’s Group CEO, emphasises that this UK-based provider is proud to enhance global diplomatic comms with cutting-edge resilience and choice.
Beyond crisis readiness, this collaboration underscores the growing importance of digital diplomacy. Reliable connectivity is essential now for secure video conferencing, real-time intelligence sharing, and remote consular assistance. With rising geopolitical tensions and natural disasters, the UK’s commitment to embedding advanced satellite tech into its diplomatic toolkit signals a broader strategy: ensuring sovereignty and communication continuity no matter where British missions are based.
Furthermore, this comes after the UK government’s €163 million investment into Eutelsat earlier this month, enhancing its stake in the expanded OneWeb‑Eutelsat group, alongside France, Bharti Space and others BusinessCloud. By integrating OneWeb LEO into FCDO Services’ infrastructure, NSSLGlobal is delivering on both operational and strategic fronts—fortifying the UK’s global communications posture.
