The EU mobile satellite spectrum could be partially opened to Starlink, Amazon, and other non-European satellite operators as soon as next year, according to sources with direct knowledge of the European Commission’s emerging allocation framework. This marks a significant shift in Europe’s approach to satellite connectivity, balancing a stated desire to reduce dependence on U.S. technology with practical recognition that American companies now dominate low-Earth-orbit infrastructure.
Key Takeaways
- EU mobile satellite spectrum would reserve two-thirds for European firms, one-third for non-EU companies including Starlink and Amazon
- Current licences held by Viasat and EchoStar expire in May 2027, triggering the need for new spectrum allocation
- The EU’s IRIS2 system, a 290-satellite array designed as a response to Starlink, is expected to compete for European-reserved spectrum
- British and Norwegian companies could also bid for licences under the proposal
- EU tech chief Henna Virkkunen opposed excluding any company and was likely to win the argument for openness
Why the EU is reconsidering its satellite spectrum strategy
For years, European policymakers have pushed back against U.S. dominance in satellite internet. The EU launched IRIS2, its own multi-orbit constellation of 290 satellites, explicitly as a response to Starlink’s growing footprint. Yet the Commission faces a practical problem: Starlink and Amazon already operate across European airspace and territory. Rather than attempt a complete exclusion—which would require rejecting established operators—the emerging proposal takes a middle path, reserving the majority of future spectrum for European entities while acknowledging that some access for proven non-EU operators may be inevitable.
The timing matters. Viasat and EchoStar currently hold mobile satellite licences that expire in May 2027. This deadline forces the Commission’s hand. Without a new allocation framework in place, the spectrum could sit unused or fall into legal limbo. The proposal being considered would reallocate this spectrum while the Commission still has leverage to shape the terms.
How the EU mobile satellite spectrum would be divided
Under the reported plan, two-thirds of the future mobile satellite spectrum would be reserved exclusively for European companies, while the remaining one-third could be open to non-EU firms. This split reflects a compromise between competing pressures within the Commission. One source indicated that a commissioner pushed for reserving all spectrum for European businesses, directly opposing EU tech chief Henna Virkkunen, who argued against excluding any company. According to the sources, Virkkunen was likely to win that argument.
The spectrum in question supports a specific and increasingly critical function: enabling mobile devices and vehicles to communicate reliably in remote locations where terrestrial networks do not reach. As satellite-to-device connectivity becomes mainstream—with services like Apple’s Emergency SOS and Samsung’s Galaxy Watch satellite features—access to this spectrum determines which companies can offer seamless coverage across Europe’s rural areas, maritime zones, and underserved regions.
British and Norwegian companies could also bid for licences under the framework, expanding the potential pool of non-EU competitors. This openness to non-EU firms reflects both pragmatism and the broader geopolitical reality that spectrum allocation cannot be entirely sealed off without damaging interoperability and forcing duplicative infrastructure investments.
What this means for Starlink, Amazon, and European competitors
Starlink and Amazon’s low-Earth-orbit satellite business stand to gain direct access to EU mobile satellite spectrum, cementing their operational presence and enabling new services. For Amazon, which has been building its Kuiper constellation to compete with Starlink, European spectrum access is essential to competing on equal footing. For Starlink, which already operates across Europe, the allocation formalizes what is already happening in practice.
The bigger question is whether IRIS2 can use its reserved two-thirds majority to build a competitive alternative. The EU’s 290-satellite array is designed specifically to reduce European dependence on U.S. operators. However, IRIS2 is still in development and faces significant technical and funding challenges. By the time IRIS2 reaches operational maturity, Starlink and Amazon will have years of additional market share and customer lock-in. The spectrum reservation may help level the playing field, but it cannot undo the first-mover advantage that Starlink and Amazon already enjoy.
Is this proposal final?
No. The allocation framework was expected to be announced following a European Commission meeting on Wednesday after the initial Reuters report, but sources cautioned that details could still change before the official announcement. The proposal represents the Commission’s current thinking, not settled policy. Industry stakeholders, national governments, and competing satellite operators will all have opportunities to comment and lobby as the framework moves through formal adoption processes.
The stakes are high. Whoever controls satellite spectrum controls access to a growing market for connectivity in remote areas, emergency response, and autonomous vehicles. For the EU, the decision reflects a difficult truth: maintaining technological sovereignty sometimes requires accepting that American companies will play a role, rather than attempting a costly and ultimately futile exclusion.
Will the EU mobile satellite spectrum allocation affect existing operators?
Viasat and EchoStar’s current licences expire in May 2027, so the new allocation does not immediately displace them. However, the framework will determine whether they can renew, at what terms, and under what conditions. The proposal opens the door to new entrants but does not guarantee that incumbent U.S. operators will retain their positions unchanged.
Could British and Norwegian companies compete for this spectrum?
Yes. The proposal allows British and Norwegian companies to bid for licences alongside European, American, and other non-EU firms. This reflects both post-Brexit reality and the practical need for spectrum allocation to work across borders in a geographically interconnected region.
The EU’s emerging approach to mobile satellite spectrum reveals a maturing understanding of space technology’s role in European infrastructure. Rather than attempting isolation, Brussels is choosing managed competition, reserving enough spectrum for European champions while acknowledging that Starlink and Amazon are not going away. Whether IRIS2 can actually compete remains an open question—but at least now it will have the spectrum to try.
Edited by the All Things Geek team.
Source: TechRadar
