Wire · technology
European carriers unite to challenge Starlink with satellite-to-mobile push
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Fusion42 · 8 September 2026 · Fusion42 review
European carriers Deutsche Telekom, Orange, Vodafone, and Telefónica are considering a consortium to bid on EU satellite spectrum for direct satellite-to-mobile phone services, aiming to compete with Starlink and reduce dependence on U.S. technology.
This Wire brief sits within Fusion42's coverage of Telecom & Connectivity, and 2 sources have reported it between 7 Sep 2026 and 8 Sep 2026.
◆ ◆ The Wire takeaway
You face new competition in satellite mobile services as EU carriers plan to challenge Starlink using shared 2 GHz spectrum. Locking in this spectrum soon is critical to avoid relying on U.S.-led providers and to access a wider European market at once.
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2 sources · first reported 7 Sep 2026 · latest 8 Sep 2026
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