Europe's four largest carriers weigh joint satellite spectrum bid to rival Starlink

Four of Europe's largest mobile operators are laying the groundwork for a direct-to-device satellite service that would compete with SpaceX's Starlink rather than depend on it. According to The Verge, Deutsche Telekom, Orange, Telefónica and Vodafone have signed a letter of intent to explore a joint bid for spectrum that could underpin a European satellite-to-phone offering.

How the arrangement would work

As described by The Verge, the four operators would split responsibilities with an outside satellite company. The carriers would build the ground-side network infrastructure and run coordination and monitoring functions from Europe, while a satellite partner — not yet chosen and not yet named — would supply and operate the actual constellation. Notably, the operators do not plan to invest directly in satellites themselves.

In a joint statement, the companies framed the initiative around filling coverage gaps in rural and underserved regions, making public networks more resilient, keeping essential communications protected, and helping a European constellation take shape. The pitch pairs European governance and market access with satellite technology and deployment expertise from an established operator.

The spectrum fight in the background

The letter of intent lands amid an ongoing dispute over satellite spectrum in the European Union. The Verge, citing the Financial Times, reports that in May the EU floated a plan to reserve part of the 2 GHz band for local companies seeking to offer satellite services. SpaceX has pushed back against that proposal, claiming it would worsen service in Ukraine.

A joint spectrum bid by the four carriers could dovetail with such EU moves, giving European players the licensed frequencies they would need to run direct-to-device services without SpaceX.

A familiar pattern from the US

The European plan follows a similar effort across the Atlantic. Earlier this year, AT&T, T-Mobile and Verizon announced a collaboration of their own in which they agreed to pool spectrum across rural regions and coverage black spots. The US carriers said the goal was to expand capacity, give subscribers a better experience, and help satellite providers reach more customers through one common platform.

Both efforts point to a broader shift in the industry: rather than each operator negotiating separately with a satellite provider, carriers are combining resources so that satellite messaging and data can extend their networks at lower cost and with greater bargaining power.

Why it matters

Direct-to-device satellite service is moving from demonstration to deployment, and Europe's largest carriers clearly want a say in how it gets built — and by whom. By keeping the ground infrastructure under European control and leaving the constellation to a partner still to be selected, the four operators are attempting to assemble a Starlink alternative without the enormous capital cost of building and launching their own satellites.

The outcome also carries geopolitical weight. EU officials have signalled discomfort with relying on a single US-controlled constellation for critical connectivity, and the disputed 2 GHz plan is one lever for carving out room for European players. If the joint bid proceeds, it could influence how satellite spectrum is allocated across the bloc — and determine whether Starlink faces its first serious direct-to-device competition in Europe. For now, though, the arrangement remains a letter of intent: no satellite partner has been announced, and no formal bid has been made.