• The network operators are exploring a joint bid for a share of the 2 GHz mobile-satellite service (MSS) band that the European Union has proposed reserving for a European-controlled operator, as part of its broader “satellite sovereignty” push.

• Under the EU’s draft framework, one-third of the 2 GHz band would be dedicated to governmental/critical-infrastructure use tied to IRIS², while two-thirds would be allocated for commercial D2M services, split equally between EU and non-EU operators.

• The prospective consortium would target the EU-operator portion of the commercial allocation, requiring majority European control to comply with the proposed rules.

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No final decision has been made on forming the consortium or submitting a bid, and the operators either declined to comment or did not immediately respond to requests.

Policy context: EU spectrum rules and IRIS²:

The initiative aligns with the European Commission’s May 2026 proposal to prioritize European companies in access to high-value MSS spectrum, reducing reliance on non-EU providers and large U.S. tech-driven satellite services.

• The Commission has designated two-thirds of the IRIS² constellation’s capacity for commercial use, with the EU-operator share of the 2 GHz band intended for entities meeting European-control criteria.

• IRIS² (Infrastructure for Resilience, Interconnectivity and Security by Satellite) is the EU’s sovereign multi-orbit program, led by the Commission and implemented by the SpaceRISE consortium comprising SES, Eutelsat, and Hispasat with limited direct-to-mobile capabilities provided by Hispasat. The constellation won’t enter service until 2029 and will be initially focused on broadband.

• First IRIS² launches are currently targeted around 2029, with initial services expected circa 2030.

Technical and market implications:

From a network-architecture perspective, a European telco consortium bidding for the 2 GHz MSS band would be positioning for 3GPP-aligned D2M/NTN services that complement terrestrial 5G/6G coverage, particularly in rural and cross-border scenarios.

• The 2 GHz MSS band is central to emerging direct-to-device offerings that provide text, data, and voice from space to standard handsets, an area where Starlink and other NGSO operators are already active or planning service.

• Current MSS licenses in the 2 GHz band are due to expire in 2027, setting the stage for a new assignment process under the EU’s proposed framework.

• Several of the same operators are already engaged in separate D2M partnerships (e.g., with AST SpaceMobile) and integration testing across multiple European markets, indicating parallel tracks for satellite connectivity ahead of any IRIS²-based commercial service.

In summary, the reported talks reflect a strategic effort by major European operators to secure spectrum rights and operational control for D2M services under the EU’s sovereignty-oriented rules, while IRIS² provides the underlying secure satellite infrastructure for governmental and, eventually, commercial use cases.

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Other Satellite Network Operators:

SpaceX, which opposes the EU’s proposal to limit spectrum access for international companies, already provides Starlink satellite broadband across much of Europe. It has agreements with a number of partners in Europe, including Deutsche Telekom, to provide direct-to-device services. The US company lacks the spectrum rights to provide those services independently in the EU.

UK-based Vodafone has formed a joint venture with US-based satellite firm AST SpaceMobile, which also provides direct-to-mobile satellite service. Under the proposal currently discussed in Brussels, it would need to adjust its 50/50 ownership structure to bid for the spectrum designated for a European operator.

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References:

https://www.reuters.com/business/media-telecom/europes-biggest-mobile-operators-talks-satellite-to-mobile-venture-bloomberg-2026-09-07/

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-09-07/europe-s-top-carriers-in-talks-for-satellite-to-mobile-venture [paywall]

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