Europe's Big Four Carriers Weigh Joint Bid for EU Satellite Spectrum

Deutsche Telekom, Orange, Telefonica and Vodafone are in talks to form a consortium to bid for EU mobile satellite spectrum for direct-to-device service. The joint effort positions Europe's largest mobile operators directly against Starlink in the contest for the region's satellite-to-phone spectrum.

The talks were reported by Bloomberg. The move reflects how seriously Europe's incumbent operators are treating the direct-to-device threat posed by SpaceX.

The four carriers are discussing a combined bid for EU mobile satellite spectrum dedicated to direct-to-device, or D2D, service. The consortium would bring together Deutsche Telekom, Orange, Telefonica and Vodafone in a single effort. The bid is framed as European carriers taking on Starlink for satellite-to-phone capacity across the continent.

Control of the spectrum determines who can offer satellite-to-phone service in Europe. That is the central stake in the reported talks, with the four operators seeking to secure the frequencies needed to deliver D2D connectivity.

The consortium shows Europe's largest mobile operators banding together in response to the direct-to-device challenge from SpaceX. Access to the spectrum, rather than the satellites themselves, may decide who wins Europe's satellite-to-phone market.

The next step is whether the four carriers move from talks to a formal consortium and submit a joint bid for the EU spectrum.