European telcos discuss consortium for satellite-to-mobile services

Major European telecommunications operators Deutsche Telekom, Orange, Vodafone, and Telefónica are in preliminary discussions to form a consortium to bid for satellite spectrum. The goal is to provide direct-to-mobile services, allowing standard smartphones to connect to satellites in areas without terrestrial network coverage.

The move is a strategic response to the dominance of U.S.-based Starlink. The group aims to secure a share of the 2 GHz frequency band that the European Commission has proposed reserving for European-controlled operators. This initiative is part of a broader effort to increase European sovereign satellite capabilities and reduce reliance on non-EU technology providers.

The European Commission plans to divide the 2 GHz spectrum into three parts: one-third for government and security use via the IRIS² program, one-third for commercial use by EU operators, and one-third for both EU and non-EU operators. Current satellite licenses are set to expire in May 2027, prompting this push for a unified European alternative.