Full Breakdown
European Mobile Giants Explore Joint Satellite Spectrum Bid to Counter Starlink
9/7/2026, 11:49:58 PM
Core Event: Consortium Talks to Secure Direct-to-Mobile Satellite Spectrum
People familiar with the matter said that Deutsche Telekom AG, Orange SA, Vodafone Group Plc and Telefónica SA are in early discussions to form a consortium that would bid for a portion of the 2 GHz satellite band the European Union plans to auction. The aim is to launch a direct-to-mobile service that could rival Elon Musk’s Starlink network across Europe. No final decision on forming the consortium or on submitting a bid has been made, and spokespeople for the four operators declined to comment.
Regulatory Context: EU Auction Rules Favor European-Controlled Operators
The European Union is preparing an auction that would reserve one-third of the 2 GHz spectrum for a “local” operator, require any winning satellite provider to be majority-owned by a European business, and set aside another third for sovereign communications under the IRIS² constellation led by SES SA, Eutelsat Communications SACA and Hispasat. Current licenses for the band are slated to expire in 2027, prompting the EU to encourage home-grown satellite capabilities as SpaceX expands its direct-to-consumer offerings.
Key Players and Existing Alliances
- Deutsche Telekom AG – already partners with SpaceX to deliver Starlink services to handsets.
- Orange SA – part of the prospective bidding group, no public comment.
- Vodafone Group Plc – has a joint venture with U.S. satellite firm AST SpaceMobile; the venture would need to adjust its 50/50 ownership structure to satisfy the EU’s European-control requirement.
- Telefónica SA – joining the talks, also declined comment.
Anticipated Impact on European Satellite Services
Analysts note that a Europe-led consortium could introduce competition for Starlink, diversify satellite access, and strengthen sovereign communications infrastructure. By meeting the EU’s ownership criteria, the group would be positioned to secure spectrum that is otherwise unavailable to non-European entities, potentially reshaping the continent’s satellite broadband market.
Official Statements & Responses
EU officials have indicated that the proposed rules are intended to “increase sovereign satellite capabilities,” while SpaceX has publicly opposed the limitation on spectrum access for international companies. Representatives for the four mobile operators uniformly declined to provide comment on the ongoing talks.
