Europe Firms in Talks for Satellite-to-Mobile Venture
The carriers would seek a reserved slice of the EU’s 2 GHz band, a move that could limit Starlink’s access as licences expire in 2027.
- On Monday, Deutsche Telekom, Orange, Vodafone Group, and Telefonica entered early talks to create a consortium to bid on European satellite spectrum and offer direct-to-mobile services, competing with Starlink on the continent.
- The European Union proposed reserving one-third of the 2 GHz band for a majority European-controlled operator to increase sovereign satellite capabilities, with current licenses expiring in May 2027.
- To qualify, Vodafone must adjust its 50/50 joint venture structure with AST SpaceMobile, while Deutsche Telekom maintains an agreement to offer Starlink direct-to-device services; both face European control requirements.
- If successful, the four-carrier venture would control the reserved spectrum, effectively deciding whether Starlink operates as supplier or competitor across most of the EU's largest mobile markets.
- Analysts suggest the consortium might lease capacity from American constellations until European alternatives exist; meanwhile, the EU reserves spectrum for IRIS², a sovereign constellation led by SES, Eutelsat Communications, and Hispasat, scheduled for 2029 service.
46 Articles
46 Articles
Elon Musk's Starlink is set to face significant European competition when four of Europe's largest telecommunications companies will join forces to provide mobile communications via the EU's new satellite network.
Deutsche Telekom, Orange, Vodafone and the Spanish company hold talks to create a consortium and bid for the EU spectrum reserved for local operators
Deutsche Telekom, Orange, Vodafone and Telefónica are negotiating the creation of a consortium to compete for European Union (EU) satellite spectrum and advance with direct connectivity services for mobile phones, a...
Europe firms in talks for satellite-to-mobile venture
Deutsche Telekom, Orange, Vodafone Group and Telefonica are in early talks to create a consortium to bid on European Union satellite spectrum and offer direct-to-mobile services, Bloomberg News has reported , citing people familiar with the matter.
Four leading European mobile operators are pursuing a joint cooperation plan to provide a service that directly connects satellites and mobile phones. This move comes as Starlink, the satellite internet service provided by SpaceX led by Elon Musk, expands its influence in the market, and aims to jointly secure 2 GHz satellite frequencies allocated by the European Union (EU) to local operators.
Europe's largest mobile companies Deutsche Telekom, Orange, Vodafone Group and Telefónica are in talks to form a consortium to participate in the European Union's satellite spectrum auction to start offering satellite communications services aimed directly at mobile phones, US business news outlet Bloomberg reported on Monday, citing sources familiar with the matter.
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 43% of the sources are Center, 43% of the sources lean Right
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
