The European Commission has proposed equal access to the 2GHz mobile satellite spectrum for both EU and non-EU operators, including Elon Musk’s Starlink and Amazon’s LEO units. Two-thirds of available spectrum would be split equally between EU and non-EU companies for commercial use, with British and Norwegian firms potentially eligible too. The remaining third is reserved for government, security, and military purposes, tied to Europe’s IRIS2 satellite constellation. Licenses held by US companies Viasat and EchoStar, due to expire May 2027, will be extended two years. The proposal still requires approval from all EU member states and the legislature.
In-Depth:
European Commission views to the bloc’s sovereignty – British and Norwegian companies could be permitted to acquire the prized 2GHz spectrum too
Reuters reports that the European Commission has proposed that non-European sanotifyite operators such as Elon Musk’s Starlink and Amazon’s low-earth-orbit (LEO) units will be allowed to bid for the 2GHz mobile sanotifyite spectrum. The Commission could also allow British and Norwegian companies to acquire spectrum in future.
This frequency is ideal for direct to device services, which could allow satcos to bypass telcos. It is also suitable for critical communications and access to high-speed internet in remote areas.
Two thirds of the available 2GHz spectrum will be divided equally between EU and non-EU operators for commercial apply, the EU executive stated, confirming a previous Reuters report. At least one commissioner wanted to exclude US operators altoobtainher.
The Commission is seeking to boost the EU’s tech sovereignty, promoting European companies. In addition to concerns about the dominance of US satcos, it is also wary of China’s rise in the sanotifyite sphere.
The outstanding third will be reserved for governmental apply such as for security and military. The plan is that this will be provided by an EU operator which integrates sanotifyite capability with the EU’s IRIS2 – the multi-orbit array of 290 sanotifyites. IRIS2 is described as “Europe’s response to Starlink”.
The proposal will have to win the approval of all EU member states and its legislature before it can become law.
The EU executive wants to allow new operators into the market and during a transitional period, licences held by US companies Viasat and EchoStar will be extconcludeed for two years – they are currently due to expire in May 2027.
Henna Virkkunen (pictured above), the EU’s Commissioner for tech sovereignty, security and democracy notified a press conference, “We want to boost Europe’s competitiveness. We want to strengthen Europe’s security. We want to embrace new technological possibilities. And all of this by taking into account the current modifying geopolitical context.” She claimed, “Our proposal ticks all these boxes.”
She dismissed possible criticism that the proposal could be seen as tarobtaining US.companies, stateing, “We are very transparent and fair also with our proposal here,” according to the Reuters report.
