Europe’s Top Telecoms Explore Satellite-to-Mobile Bid in Challenge to Starlink

Europe’s largest mobile operators may be preparing a joint push into satellite-to-phone connectivity. Bloomberg News reported that Deutsche Telekom, Orange, Vodafone Group and Telefónica are in early discussions about forming a consortium to bid for a portion of European Union satellite spectrum and offer direct-to-mobile services. But the proposal is not yet a deal: no final decision has been made to form the group or submit a bid. 510

What the reported consortium would do

The carriers are considering a joint bid for part of the 2 GHz mobile-satellite spectrum that the EU has proposed reserving for a local operator. The aim would be to provide connectivity directly to ordinary mobile phones through satellite links. 510

A combined effort could give the operators a European platform in the growing direct-to-device market, where satellite services are increasingly being positioned as a way to extend connectivity beyond terrestrial mobile coverage. Bloomberg’s reporting characterized the prospective service as a potential European rival to Starlink on the continent. 910

Still only preliminary discussions

The central caveat is that the talks are at an early stage. Reporting said the companies had made no final decisions on whether to establish the consortium or proceed with a spectrum bid. 59

Public confirmation was also limited. Vodafone and Orange declined to comment on the reported plans, according to the reporting. 5

That means there is no confirmed ownership structure, selected satellite partner, service timetable, network design or commitment to participate in any eventual EU process.

Why the EU wants a European operator

The reported bid is linked to a wider EU effort to retain greater control over critical communications infrastructure. In May, the EU announced plans to allocate the bulk of valuable mobile-satellite spectrum to European companies while reducing the share available to U.S. operators, part of a broader push to reduce reliance on large non-European technology providers and promote domestic capability. 3

The policy is aimed at strengthening Europe’s sovereign satellite capabilities: the ability to provide and manage strategically important connectivity through European-controlled systems rather than depending entirely on foreign providers. 35

For the carriers, a reserved local-operator allocation could offer a route to participate in satellite connectivity under a framework designed to prioritize European providers.

How IRIS² fits in

The spectrum policy is associated with IRIS², the EU’s planned multi-orbit satellite system. Reuters reported that the array is planned to include 290 satellites, with one-third of the spectrum reserved for state uses such as security and military applications through an EU operator integrated with the network. 3

IRIS² is intended to provide secure connectivity and strengthen Europe’s independent satellite infrastructure. The reported telecom consortium is therefore best understood as a possible commercial complement to that policy direction—not as a finalized part of IRIS² itself. 35

What to watch next

The important question is whether the four operators move from exploratory talks to a formal consortium and bid. Until then, the proposal remains an unconfirmed option rather than a committed European satellite-to-mobile network.

If it proceeds, it would test whether Europe’s spectrum strategy can help its established mobile operators build a viable direct-to-device service while advancing the EU’s goal of greater autonomy in satellite communications. 35