EU reserves two-thirds of mobile satellite spectrum for European operators

The European Commission has proposed a new allocation regime for the 2 GHz mobile satellite service (MSS) band that will take effect after the current licences expire in May 2027. Under the plan, one‑third of the spectrum will be set aside for government and security use, while the remaining two‑thirds will be made available for commercial services. The commercial portion is split so that a significant share is reserved for European satellite operators, aiming to reduce reliance on non‑EU providers such as Viasat, EchoStar, Starlink and Amazon.

The proposal introduces a Union‑wide licensing procedure, replacing the fragmented national regimes that have existed since 2008. It will be coordinated with the EU’s IRIS² satellite programme, which is intended to provide resilient, high‑capacity connectivity for remote areas, critical communications and future 6G networks. EU technology vice‑president Henna Virkkunen said, “Satellite connectivity is essential to strengthen the EU’s communication networks and to guarantee voice and broadband internet in all regions, especially where terrestrial networks are unavailable.” The commission frames the change as a step toward greater “technological sovereignty, security and defence” for Europe.