European operators Orange, Deutsche Telekom, Telefónica and Vodafone signed a letter of intent study a joint application for the allocation of frequencies dedicated to mobile satellite communications in Europe. Its objective: to develop Direct-to-Device services that allow smartphones to communicate directly with satellites and reinforce European control of these strategic infrastructures.
Desire for satellite frequencies by Orange and other operators
The initiative aims to study a common application during the future frequency allocation for Mobile Satellite Services (MSS). The four groups want to facilitate access to Direct-to-Device (D2D) services that could allow compatible phones to stay connected in areas where terrestrial networks are absent or insufficient. Operators also highlight the resilience of public communications and the protection of critical communications.
The project also foresees an open and non-discriminatory access model: other European mobile operators could use the planned infrastructure to offer their own services to their customers. According to the four companies, this approach should promote competition, limit market fragmentation and expand consumer choice. However, at this time it is a matter of studying a joint application: no commercial launch schedule has been announced.
A European infrastructure to counter the American Starlink
The four groups plan to create the necessary land infrastructure in Europe, as well as coordination and supervision functions. They specify that they will not invest directly in a satellite constellation: a specialized partner, which has yet to be selected, will provide this component. Therefore, the system must combine the experience of mobile operators with existing satellite technology.
This strategy is part of the European debates on digital sovereignty and control of space infrastructures. The European Commission particularly seeks to strengthen the continent’s capacity to develop its own connectivity solutions. The topic is also competitive: direct connection offers to satellite phones are developing on a global scale, in particular with Starlink, the SpaceX network.
Orange and its partners emphasize that this letter of intent does not replace their current satellite agreements. The announced cooperation therefore constitutes an additional step aimed at preparing access to new frequencies and organizing an offer at European level. The space partner, the final conditions of the request and the services that could be offered remain to be specified.
