Deutsche Telekom, Orange, Vodafone, and Telefonica are in preliminary talks to form an alliance. The group aims to bid for European Union satellite spectrum to launch direct-to-cell services, challenging SpaceX's Starlink presence in the region.
The initiative aligns with new EU regulations for the 2GHz band. Under the proposal, one-third of the spectrum will be reserved for companies with majority European ownership to bolster regional autonomy. Another third is allocated for the IRIS² satellite constellation, while the final portion remains open to international bidders.
Vodafone currently holds a 50% stake in a joint venture with AST SpaceMobile. To qualify for the spectrum reserved for European firms, the company may need to restructure its ownership. Existing 2GHz licenses are set to expire in 2027.
The EU's IRIS² project, managed by the SpaceRISE consortium, is designed to compete with Starlink. The constellation, led by SES, Eutelsat, and Hispasat, was expanded to 348 satellites in August 2026. Full operations are expected to begin by 2029.
