European carriers plan joint satellite direct-to-device bid

Deutsche Telekom, Orange, Telefónica and Vodafone signed a letter of intent to consider a joint spectrum bid for European direct-to-device satellite service rivaling Starlink. The carriers would build ground infrastructure and coordination functions while a yet-unnamed satellite partner supplies the constellation.

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Four of Europe's largest mobile operators are coordinating a bid for direct-to-device satellite spectrum, a move aimed at reducing dependence on SpaceX's Starlink. The carriers would not invest in satellites themselves, so the unnamed satellite partner is the main commercial prize and could be a major European or other constellation operator. The plan fits the EU's consideration of reserving part of the 2 GHz band for local providers, which SpaceX has criticized. It mirrors the AT&T, T-Mobile and Verizon spectrum pooling in the US and indicates a wider carrier push to control the satellite-to-phone layer. Near-term financial impact is limited because this is only a letter of intent, but it raises competitive and regulatory risk for Starlink's European mobile ambitions.