Major European Mobile Carriers Collaborate on Satellite Program to Compete with Starlink
Deutsche Telekom, Orange, Telefónica, and Vodafone have signed a letter of intent for a joint bid in spectrum auctions aimed at supporting direct-to-device satellite services that could rival SpaceX’s Starlink. The initiative seeks universal coverage in underserved areas while enhancing network resilience and critical communications. While the telecom companies will manage ground infrastructure, they plan to partner with an unnamed satellite provider for constellation deployment. This collaboration aligns with broader efforts by European regulators to promote local alternatives to U.S.-based satellite services like Starlink. The initiative emphasizes European governance combined with proven satellite technology expertise. In a similar move earlier this year in the United States, AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon announced their own joint effort to improve rural connectivity.
Topics: 5G/6G Infrastructure European Union Satellite Internet Starlink Competition