Top European mobile networks join forces for a satellite initiative independent of Starlink.

Deutsche Telekom, Orange, Telefónica, and Vodafone have expressed their intent to explore a collaborative bid for spectrum aimed at fostering competition in the European direct-to-device satellite market, particularly against SpaceX’s Starlink. The four telecom giants plan to manage the ground infrastructure, while a yet-to-be-named satellite partner will supply the satellite constellation.

The initiative from these telecom leaders is driven by a clear goal: to fulfill the growing demand for universal coverage in areas that are often overlooked, enhance the resilience of public networks, safeguard critical communications, and contribute to the establishment of a European satellite constellation.

As part of this venture, the operators intend to create essential ground network infrastructure along with vital coordination and monitoring capabilities across Europe, without directly investing in a satellite constellation. This aspect will be handled by a satellite partner that is still to be determined.

This collaboration between the telecom operators and the satellite provider aims to merge European governance and market access with established satellite technology and deployment expertise.

In the US, AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon have also announced a partnership earlier this year to pool spectrum resources in rural and underserved areas, aiming to boost capacity, enhance customer experience, and enable satellite providers to reach a broader audience through a unified platform. Additionally, the EU has been considering a proposal to allocate part of the 2 GHz band for local companies to deliver satellite services, a move that has drawn criticism from SpaceX, which argues it could negatively impact service in Ukraine.