Deutsche Telekom, Orange, Telefónica, and Vodafone signed a letter of intent to explore a joint bid for spectrum to support European direct-to-device satellite competition against SpaceX’s Starlink. The four operators would manage the ground infrastructure while a separate, unannounced partner provides the satellite constellation.
These companies plan to build key ground network infrastructure and establish critical coordination and monitoring functions across Europe. The initiative aims to meet customer demand for universal coverage in underserved areas, strengthen public network resilience, and protect critical communications.
The operators will not invest directly in a satellite constellation but intend to support the development of a European constellation. Earlier this year, AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon announced a similar collaboration in the United States to combine spectrum in rural areas and dead zones.
That US partnership aims to increase capacity, improve customer experience, and help satellite providers reach more customers through a unified platform. In May, the EU said it was considering a plan to reserve some of the 2 GHz band for local companies to offer satellite services.
SpaceX criticized the EU plan, claiming it would worsen service in Ukraine.
