Deutsche Telekom, Orange, Telefónica, and Vodafone, Europe’s four largest telecom groups, are exploring a joint bid for radio spectrum to launch direct-to-device satellite mobile services across Europe, according to livemint.com. This initiative aims to reduce reliance on non-European suppliers and challenge Elon Musk’s Starlink, amid ongoing controversies surrounding Starlink in countries including India and Ukraine.
The companies signed a letter of intent to explore the possibility of this joint satellite service, as reported by the Financial Times. The European Commission proposed reserving spectrum in the 2 GHz band for European operators, with licenses currently held by US companies Viasat and EchoStar set to expire next year. The telcos plan to build ground-based infrastructure such as base stations to support satellite connections, but may partner with an existing satellite provider rather than develop their own constellation.
This move reflects growing European efforts to assert control over critical communications infrastructure and reduce dependence on US and Chinese satellite operators. The initiative could escalate transatlantic tensions over communications technology, as Starlink currently dominates the direct-to-device satellite mobile market. The collaboration among Europe’s telecom giants marks a strategic push to secure sovereignty over satellite connectivity in the region.
The European Commission’s proposal to reserve the 2 GHz band for European operators was made in May, and the licenses held by Viasat and EchoStar are due to expire next year, setting a timeline for the telcos’ potential launch of satellite mobile services.