Four major European mobile network operators—Deutsche Telekom, Telefónica, Orange, and Vodafone—have signed a letter of intent to explore a joint bid for mobile satellite service (MSS) spectrum. The initiative aims to provide direct-to-device (D2D) services across the European market.
The partnership plans to establish ground network infrastructure throughout Europe and collaborate with a satellite operator for D2D connectivity. This move follows a European Commission proposal to allocate 2 GHz frequency spectrum for D2D services, prioritizing European operators.
The initiative seeks to improve universal coverage in underserved areas and bolster public network resilience. While the project aims to foster competition and reduce market fragmentation, industry experts note that it does not explicitly guarantee the development of a new European satellite constellation.
The operators currently face questions regarding the market size for D2D in Europe, given that terrestrial networks already cover over 98% of the region. Deutsche Telekom emphasized that satellite technology is viewed as a complementary tool to existing fiber and mobile networks rather than a replacement.
