Four of Europe's largest telecommunications operators are joining forces to develop a direct-to-device satellite service, seeking to establish a regional alternative to SpaceX's Starlink network. Deutsche Telekom, Orange, Telefónica, and Vodafone have signed a letter of intent to explore a joint spectrum bid that would support the initiative, according to reporting by The Verge.
Under the proposed framework, the four telecom operators plan to manage the terrestrial network components while relying on an external provider to deploy and operate the orbital hardware.
Collaborative Ground Infrastructure
The coalition intends to oversee the necessary ground infrastructure to interface with mobile devices across Europe. By pooling resources, the mobile carriers aim to secure the dedicated radio frequencies required for seamless satellite-to-cell connectivity.
This structure allows the carriers to leverage their existing terrestrial operations and customer bases while seeking a unified path to mobile satellite coverage. The alliance has not yet disclosed which satellite company will be selected to launch and maintain the orbiting constellation.
Challenging SpaceX's Market Presence
The initiative represents a concerted effort by European network providers to prevent a single dominant overseas player from capturing the burgeoning satellite connectivity market. SpaceX has been aggressively expanding its direct-to-cell capabilities via its Starlink constellation, partnering with mobile operators globally to eliminate coverage dead zones.
By coordinating their spectrum acquisition and network infrastructure, Deutsche Telekom, Orange, Telefónica, and Vodafone are positioning themselves to retain control over direct-to-device communications in the region. Further details regarding the timeline of the joint bid and the identity of the constellation partner have not yet been announced.
