Europe's trying to break free from its reliance on a certain satellite internet provider that's been crucial for Ukraine's defense operations. The catch? They're staring at a massive tech gap—we're talking about competing against a constellation of 9,100 satellites already orbiting overhead.

The dependency issue runs deep. When you've built critical infrastructure around one provider's network, switching isn't just about preference—it's about capability. Europe's alternatives are still playing catch-up in terms of scale and deployment speed.

What makes this interesting: it's not just a tech race anymore. It's become a question of strategic autonomy. Can regional players build comparable satellite internet infrastructure fast enough to matter? The numbers suggest that's a tall order when your competitor has nearly a decade's head start and an operational fleet that size.