In an effort to curb Elon Musk's dominance in the satellite internet sector, four of Europe's largest telecommunications providers are in early-stage talks to form a joint European response. Deutsche Telekom, Orange, Vodafone, and Telefonica are exploring the creation of a consortium aimed at providing direct-to-mobile satellite services.
Spectrum Strategy and EU Sovereignty
According to Bloomberg sources, the four companies are considering a joint bid for frequency spectrum that the European Union intends to allocate specifically to a European provider. This plan aims to bolster autonomous European satellite capabilities, as current spectrum licenses are set to expire in 2027.
To qualify under the proposed EU terms, any satellite provider must be majority-controlled by a European entity. This requirement poses a significant hurdle for international players like SpaceX, which, despite operating across much of Europe, lacks the necessary spectrum rights to provide autonomous direct-to-device services within the Union.
Obstacles and Existing Partnerships
Despite the ongoing discussions, no final decisions have been made regarding the formation of the consortium or the submission of a bid. The landscape is complicated by existing partnerships; for instance, Deutsche Telekom already has an agreement with SpaceX for direct-to-device services. Furthermore, Vodafone’s current 50/50 joint venture with the U.S.-based AST SpaceMobile would require structural changes to meet the EU's majority-European ownership mandate.
The move highlights Europe's strategic interest in breaking what is described as the Starlink "monopoly" as Musk’s company rapidly expands its direct-to-consumer offerings, potentially bypassing traditional terrestrial infrastructure.
