Satellite internet was until now a bit of a marginal thing in France. Not efficient enough, too expensive, often with frustrating speed limits… In short, it seemed more like a last resort solution than a real alternative to ADSL or fiber connections. But that was before Starlink, as we saw in our test here ! If no serious competition existed, Orange has just set the record straight with a revised and corrected offer, faster and, above all, more affordable.
So, can Orange really compete with Elon Musk's Starlink in the satellite field?
A breath of fresh air on satellite internet
Before talking figures, we need to understand the context. Orange has been offering a satellite internet offer for several years via Nordnet, a subsidiary specializing in connections for the most remote areas (where fiber and ADSL will probably never come to settle). But honestly, until recently, it wasn't really what you'd call a resounding success.
The main problem? The price. With a relatively high subscription cost and sometimes limited performance, the offer wasn't exactly a dream come true. And when Starlink arrived with its impressive speeds and revolutionary technology, it goes without saying that Orange had to quickly revise its copy.
Good news for those struggling with a cardboard connection: that's exactly what they did!
Better prices and boosted performance
Orange has revised its pricing structure to offer a more competitive offer. From now on, the satellite internet subscription starts at €39.99 per month. And for this price, subscribers can benefit from a connection of up to 200 Mb/s in download. Honestly, it's a great step up!
On the latency side (this reaction time which can spoil a good online game or a videoconference), we are around 600 ms, which remains higher than Starlink but fairly standard for geostationary satellite. If you were hoping to replace your fiber for ultra-competitive gaming, it won't be ideal, but for streaming, teleworking or classic browsing, it definitely does it.
By comparison, a Starlink subscription today costs €40 per month in France, but with more variable speeds (between 50 and 250 Mb/s on average) and lower latency, around 40-60 ms. Again, it all depends on your priorities.
Availability, a big asset for Orange
One of the big advantages of Orange's offer compared to Starlink is immediate availability. Starlink has continued to grow, but its network can sometimes be saturated in certain areas, which limits the availability of subscriptions. Orange, for its part, uses Eutelsat's Konnect satellite, which covers all of France without restriction.
In other words, whether you are in the depths of the Creuse or lost in a village in the Massif Central, all you need is a good location for the antenna, and you will have internet in a few days. And that, for many people who have seen fiber pass under their noses for years, is a huge breath of fresh air.
Installation and equipment: an area where Starlink remains strong
This may be where Starlink stays ahead. With Orange, installation requires external intervention (count around €299), while Starlink offers a ready-to-use kit, which you receive, plug in and connect in a few minutes. That said, once the hardware is in place, the performance remains there, especially with the latest optimizations from Eutelsat.
In terms of equipment, Orange offers a router with a satellite dish, which is standard for this type of connection. The good news is that unlike Starlink, which relies on low-orbit satellites that require clear skies, Orange's antenna is less demanding in terms of its positioning.
Who should choose Orange's offer?
So, let's keep it simple: if you're looking for a fast and affordable alternative to a slow ADSL connection and you live in a rural area, Orange's satellite offer is clearly interesting. For €39.99 per month, you get comfortable speeds, a stable connection, and a service that already works everywhere in France.
On the other hand, if your priority is low latency (for gaming, for example), or ease of installation, Starlink is one step ahead. The subscription is €40, and you'll need a €349 kit (excluding promotions, but it's currently €249).
As is often the case, it all depends on your needs! But one thing is certain: satellite internet is finally becoming a real credible alternative in France, and that is excellent news for all those who are waiting for fiber like a package that has been stuck at the Post Office for three weeks…
Conclusion: a serious competitor for Starlink?
Let's be honest: on a purely technical level, Starlink is still ahead thanks to its low-altitude satellite network that significantly reduces latency. For my part, the question does not arise, I am staying with Starlink, especially since the service has given me complete satisfaction for two years.
If you are looking for an immediate, reliable and accessible solution, Orange and its connection via Eutelsat can be a very good alternative to Musk's satellite. And if demand continues to rise, there is no doubt that Orange and its competitors will still seek to improve their offers. So we may not have heard the last of satellite internet… and that’s excellent news!
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