Europe’s Biggest Carriers Explore a Satellite-to-Phone Consortium

Major European mobile operators are reportedly discussing whether to join forces on satellite-to-phone connectivity. The prospective group—Deutsche Telekom, Orange, Vodafone and Telefónica—could bid for a share of EU mobile-satellite spectrum and offer services directly to ordinary mobile phones. For now, though, it is only a reported preliminary discussion, not a launched venture. 1

What has been reported

Reuters, citing a Bloomberg report based on people familiar with the matter, said the four operators are in early talks on a consortium that could seek EU satellite spectrum and provide direct-to-mobile services across Europe. The report says no final decision has been made either on creating the consortium or on bidding for spectrum. 1

That distinction matters. There is no announced ownership structure, satellite supplier, network design, timetable, pricing plan or customer offer. The potential group should therefore be viewed as a strategic option being explored—not as a confirmed European alternative to Starlink.

Why the EU’s 2 GHz band is central

The European Commission has proposed a new EU-level procedure to authorise mobile-satellite-service providers in the harmonised 2 GHz band after existing licences expire in 2027. Its stated objective is to provide regulatory consistency across Member States and allow providers to develop services across borders. 4749

The band refers to the EU’s paired mobile-satellite frequencies at 1,980–2,010 MHz and 2,170–2,200 MHz. Existing authorisations in this framework run until mid-2027. 43

A joint carrier bid could give the operators a route to combine satellite capacity with their terrestrial networks, retail channels and existing customer relationships. It would also fit the EU’s wider interest in resilient communications infrastructure and a stronger European role in satellite connectivity. Reporting on the proposal says European companies would receive the bulk of the relevant spectrum, with part reserved for state uses including security and military. 2

Direct-to-device means satellite connectivity on a regular phone

Direct-to-device, or D2D, satellite service aims to connect a standard handset to a satellite without requiring a dedicated satellite terminal. In principle, it can supplement conventional cellular coverage in remote areas or during exceptional circumstances when terrestrial infrastructure is unavailable.

The reported consortium is best understood as an effort to integrate that satellite layer with mobile operators’ networks—not necessarily as a plan to build an entirely European satellite constellation from scratch. Which satellite system would carry the service has not been disclosed. 1

The carriers already have satellite-to-phone projects underway

The reported talks come as several of the companies expand D2D partnerships independently.

• Orange has signed a memorandum of understanding with AST SpaceMobile and Satellite Connect Europe. The companies plan demonstrations in Romania covering voice, SMS and data in the second half of 2026; Orange says the collaboration also includes examining European security requirements and integration with an Orange-managed core network. 20
• Telefónica has announced that it is exploring D2D connectivity with Luxembourg-headquartered Satellite Connect Europe in Spain and Germany, describing satellite connectivity as a complement to existing mobile networks. 35
• Telefónica Germany is also working with Luxembourg-based OQ Technology to test two-way direct-to-device connections for text and voice messaging using Telefónica Deutschland spectrum. 38
• Vodafone is already linked to Satellite Connect Europe through its joint venture with AST SpaceMobile, according to Orange’s announcement. 20

These projects establish that D2D integration is already an active priority for European operators. They do not, however, confirm that the four companies will consolidate around one platform or one spectrum bid.

What has not been confirmed

The original report relied on unnamed people familiar with private discussions. Reuters reported that Deutsche Telekom and Vodafone declined to comment, while Orange and Telefónica did not immediately respond. 1

As a result, several core questions remain open:

• Satellite partner and architecture: A bid would need a specific satellite system, capacity plan and technical approach for linking satellites to phones and operator networks.
• Regulatory path: The Commission has proposed the new authorisation framework, but the selection rules and eventual spectrum rights remain central to any business case. 4749
• Commercial model: The operators would need to decide how investment, wholesale access, retail distribution and customer support would work—and how a joint service would coexist with their current satellite partnerships.
• Service scope: The difference between emergency messaging, voice, basic data and broader mobile broadband has major implications for spectrum needs, coverage and economics.

Why the discussions matter

The strongest signal is strategic rather than operational. Europe’s largest mobile groups appear to see satellite connectivity as a potential extension of their terrestrial networks: one that can help address coverage gaps and resilience needs while preserving an operator-managed customer experience.

But “European sovereignty” will not be determined by branding or a spectrum bid alone. Orange’s announced collaboration involves US-based AST SpaceMobile, while Telefónica Germany’s OQ Technology partnership is European. 2038 A future consortium would still have to define where control sits across spectrum, satellites, network operations and customer services.

For now, the concrete takeaway is simple: a four-carrier satellite-to-phone consortium is plausible, but unconfirmed. The next meaningful evidence would be a formal consortium announcement, a stated satellite partner, or a published EU selection process that clarifies how the post-2027 2 GHz spectrum will be awarded.