According to people familiar with the matter, some of Europe's largest mobile operators are in preliminary negotiations to form a consortium to bid for satellite spectrum and provide direct-connected mobile phone services to compete with Elon Musk's Starlink in Europe. Deutsche Telekom, France's Orange, Vodafone, and Telefónica will jointly bid for the portion of the band the EU proposes to reserve for local operators. The plan aims to enhance Europe's sovereign satellite capabilities. No final decision has yet been made on the consortium or bid plan. To meet the requirements of the EU proposal, any satellite operator must be controlled by a European company.

According to people familiar with the matter, some of Europe's largest mobile operators are in preliminary negotiations to form a consortium to bid for satellite spectrum and provide direct-connected mobile phone services to compete with Elon Musk's Starlink in Europe. Deutsche Telekom, France's Orange, Vodafone, and Telefónica will jointly bid for the portion of the band the EU proposes to reserve for local operators. The plan aims to enhance Europe's sovereign satellite capabilities. No final decision has yet been made on the consortium or bid plan. To meet the requirements of the EU proposal, any satellite operator must be controlled by a European company.