[Digital Today Reporter Hong Jin-ju] The European Union (EU) has effectively moved to reserve two-thirds of a core mobile satellite communications frequency band for European companies.
On the 26th (local time), blockchain outlet Cryptopolitan reported that if the reshuffle is implemented, SpaceX’s Starlink and Amazon’s Kuiper would likely be confined to competing over the remaining one-third of the band.
The band in question sits in the 2 GHz range and consists of two paired 30 MHz blocks—1980–2010 MHz and 2170–2200 MHz. Operators use it to connect phones and vehicles directly in areas without terrestrial cellular coverage. Industry participants regard this band as the de facto regulatory spectrum for direct device-to-device (D2D) services.
Viasat and EchoStar currently hold the licenses. Viasat acquired its license through its purchase of Inmarsat, and EchoStar secured its by acquiring Solaris. Both licenses expire in May 2027. Because EU member states jointly manage this band through the European Commission, the next allocation will likely be decided at the EU level.
The leading beneficiary is expected to be IRIS2. The SpaceRISE consortium—featuring SES, Eutelsat and Hispasat—is building the next-generation satellite constellation. The project plans to deploy roughly 290 satellites, with contractors that include Airbus, Thales Alenia Space and OHB.
In December 2024 the EU signed a roughly €10.5 billion (approximately 11.235 billion USD) 12-year contract for the program, about €6.5 billion (approximately 6.955 billion USD) of which will come from public funds. The government service is scheduled to begin in 2030. Sources say companies from the U.K. and Norway may also be allowed to bid.
Brussels framed the decision as a strategic effort to reduce dependence on U.S. technology. EU officials pointed to past incidents—such as Elon Musk’s comments about possibly restricting Starlink access in Ukraine—that heightened concern within the bloc. Reports of Musk’s close ties to the Trump administration were cited as an additional factor.
The EU has recently expanded policies aimed at lowering reliance on U.S. firms in strategic sectors like cloud services, semiconductor equipment and cybersecurity tools. Satellite communications have been placed in the same category of strategic infrastructure.
Thomas Rénier, a spokesperson for the European Commission, said, “In the current geopolitical environment, satellite connectivity has become a core element of resilience, security and capabilities.” He added that “satellite connectivity is a central pillar of technological sovereignty and of security and defense,” underscoring the strategic importance of IRIS2.
Still, the decision prompted internal debate. Some commissioners wanted to allocate the entire band exclusively to European firms and fully exclude U.S. operators. Henna Virkunen, the EU’s chief technology official, opposed a complete exclusion, and the compromise to prioritize two-thirds of the band for European companies ultimately prevailed.
That outcome could disadvantage current license holders Viasat and EchoStar. Both are listed in the U.S. and could be classified as non‑European operators, which may limit them to competing only within the one-third open portion of the band in the next allocation.
Industry analysts say the move reflects more than a mere frequency reallocation; it signals a broader push to strengthen Europe’s “digital sovereignty.” While Starlink and Kuiper would not be fully barred from the European market, restricted access to core mobile satellite bands could significantly constrain their ability to expand direct-to-device services across Europe.
Most Commented