Deutsche Telekom, Orange, Telefónica and Vodafone Join Forces to Bid for Europe’s Satellite Spectrum

Deutsche Telekom, Orange, Telefónica and Vodafone have joined forces to secure satellite spectrum in Europe. On 19 October 2026, the four operators signed a Letter of Intent to explore a joint bid for Mobile Satellite Services (MSS) spectrum and to accelerate Direct-to-Device (D2D) services. Behind the announcement sits a simple rule of mobile: spectrum is the licence to exist. Without the right to transmit on frequencies that ordinary phones support, you do not run a mobile business. You rent one.

What was announced

The key points of the Letter of Intent:

• • Open access: every European operator, not only the four, could offer D2D to its customers.

• • European ground segment: gateways, coordination and monitoring would be built in Europe.

• • No constellation ownership: a satellite partner will be selected later.

• • Existing deals continue: for example Vodafone with AST SpaceMobile, or Deutsche Telekom with Starlink.

Why now: the 2 GHz deadline

Europe’s 2 GHz MSS licences (3GPP band n256) are held by EchoStar and Viasat and expire in May 2027. The European Commission wants most of this band in European hands. The most valuable D2D spectrum in Europe is about to be reallocated, and the window is months, not years.

The SpaceX factor

SpaceX has been buying spectrum aggressively. In 2025 it agreed to acquire EchoStar’s 2 GHz and MSS rights for about $17 billion. On 8 October 2026 it agreed to buy up to 14 MHz of nationwide 800 MHz spectrum in the US, reportedly for around $8 billion. Put together, this is the blueprint of a hybrid mobile carrier:

• • 2 GHz from space for capacity and coverage

• • 800 MHz for indoor penetration

• • handsets that already support both bands

No towers, no legacy cost base. US carrier shares fell around 6% on the news.

My reading: who holds the spectrum holds the customer

Today, D2D is mostly wholesale. The satellite operator sells coverage, the telco keeps the customer. That model works only as long as the satellite operator is happy to remain a supplier. Europe’s operators are not trying to build rockets. They are securing the one asset that decides negotiating power. If they hold the MSS spectrum, any satellite partner has to go through them to reach European phones.

This time, the telcos want to sit on the right side of the table.

What to watch

• • Competition review of four incumbents bidding together.

• • The satellite partner: Starlink, AST SpaceMobile, Eutelsat OneWeb or IRIS².

• • Wholesale pricing that leaves margin for every operator on the platform.

• • WRC-27 agenda item 1.13, which will shape D2D use of mobile bands worldwide.

Beyond Europe

For operators in the Middle East, Africa and Asia, the lesson is simple: D2D is first a spectrum and regulatory strategy, then a technology choice. Those who engage their regulator early will negotiate from strength.

Conclusion

Satellites do not decide who owns the mobile customer. Spectrum does. SpaceX understood it first. Europe’s big four are now acting on it. Want your teams ready for the D2D era? Explore 5GWorldPro’s satellite and NTN training at 5gworldpro.com.