Europe’s four biggest mobile carriers want to own the spectrum for satellite-to-phone service and rent the satellites. Deutsche Telekom, Orange, Telefónica and Vodafone said on Oct. 19 they have signed a letter of intent to explore a joint bid for the EU’s 2 GHz Mobile Satellite Services (MSS) band, which they would use for direct-to-device (D2D) service.
The carriers would build the ground network and the coordination and monitoring functions in Europe, but they say they won’t invest directly in a satellite constellation. That would come from “a satellite partner still to be selected.”
How the Deal Would Work
The pitch is a carrier-led wholesale model. Every mobile network operator, not just the four signatories, would get “open and non-discriminatory access” to offer D2D service to its customers. The carriers bring customer reach, network capabilities and operational expertise. The satellite partner would bring “proven satellite technology and deployment expertise.”
The letter “does not replace existing satellite partnerships” any of the four already has. It’s a letter of intent to explore a bid, not a bid. No partner, investment amount or timeline has been announced, and SpaceNews reports the group is now looking for that satellite partner.
Deutsche Telekom reports more than 273 million mobile customers, Orange 340 million customers and Vodafone around 370 million mobile and broadband customers, per the companies’ own figures. Holding the spectrum would let the carriers keep the customer relationship and treat satellite capacity as a supplier input, the reverse of a model where a satellite operator holds the airwaves and signs carriers as partners.
The Spectrum Up for Grabs
The band covers 1,980–2,010 MHz (Earth-to-space) and 2,170–2,200 MHz (space-to-Earth). Two operators were selected in 2009, each with a paired 15 MHz block, and they serve customers using geostationary satellites. Their rights expire in May 2027.
The Commission’s proposal, COM(2026) 311, calls the band “the optimal spectrum for the deployment of innovative satellite D2D services.” It would replace the old regime with a comparative selection run at EU level, not an auction, and grant 20-year rights. There would be three procedures: one for a secure MSS/hybrid system, one for an EU new entrant in the commercial market, and one also open to applicants from outside the EU. Commercial applicants are expected to support wholesale access on fair, reasonable and non-discriminatory terms.
The incumbents’ rights would be extended by two years to keep their services running until the new process is done. The proposal still needs approval from the European Parliament and the Council.
Where SpaceX Fits
SpaceX wants the band, according to Bloomberg, which has called the spectrum a key element in Starlink’s growth plans and framed the carriers’ consortium as an effort to fend off Starlink. In June, Bloomberg reported that SpaceX had criticized the Commission’s plan in a statement, saying it would split the spectrum into “virtually unusable sub-divided parts.”
SpaceX already sells D2D through Starlink Direct to Cell (how it works), and it has been collecting 2 GHz rights elsewhere. In Brazil, Anatel granted Starlink 15+15 MHz of S-band spectrum on Oct. 9, half the 30+30 MHz it asked for. In the U.S., the FCC licensed its 15,000-satellite Starlink Mobile constellation on Oct. 6, including 2 GHz mobile-satellite spectrum.
AST SpaceMobile welcomed the carriers’ letter on Oct. 19, but it has not been named the group’s partner. The four carriers say the constellation will come from “a satellite partner still to be selected.”
Elsewhere in D2D
In a separate U.S. decision, Globalstar, which supplies Apple’s satellite features, said on Oct. 19 that the FCC had given it nationwide authority to operate its third-generation C-3 system, including D2D service to smartphones. Globalstar says C-3 will have 48 low Earth orbit satellites at 1,414 km plus six in-orbit spares, built by MDA Space, with launches expected to begin in 2027. The authorization covers the United States only and has no link to the EU 2 GHz process.
The big questions are which satellite partner the four pick, whether the group files a formal bid, and whether COM(2026) 311 clears the Parliament and the Council before the current rights expire in May 2027.
