Vodafone, Orange, and others eye European Starlink alternative

Date:
Mon, 19 Oct 2026 14:44:49 +0000

Description:
Starlink might soon have some European competition if the continent's
carriers get their way.

FULL STORY ======================================================================Copy link Facebook X Whatsapp Reddit Pinterest Flipboard Threads Email Share this article 0 Join the conversation Follow us Add us as a preferred source on Google Newsletter Subscribe to our newsletter Deutsche Telekom, Orange, Telefonica, and Vodafone have signed a letter of intent to explore
development of a European constellation This could work as an alternative to Starlink, and allow networks to plug coverage gaps with satellites However, they still need a satellite partner to deliver any such plan Starlink has major mobile ambitions, seemingly seeing itself as a true rival to conventional carriers like Verizon and T-Mobile in the US. But over in
Europe, mobile operators might look to offer a Starlink alternative.

Deutsche Telekom, Orange, Telefonica, and Vodafone have all signed a letter
of intent to explore a potential joint bid for the future allocation of spectrum for Mobile Satellite Services (MSS) in Europe. So, in other words, they might work together to allocate spectrum to a satellite-based connectivity service aimed at increasing their coverage in areas where masts and other ground-based infrastructure dont currently reach. Latest Videos
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Such a service would put them in direct competition with Starlink, which has partnered with the likes of T-Mobile in the US and O2 in the UK to plug coverage gaps in their networks, and which has ambitions to launch a standalone carrier. A long way off (Image credit: Vodafone) But its still
very early days for this European initiative. The letter of intent is simply to explore a potential bid wording which suggests nothing is very set in stone. And even if these carriers do jointly allocate this spectrum, they still need to establish key ground network infrastructure to go along with
it. You may like T-Mobile CEO challenges Elon Musk's claims about Starlink's mobile superiority SpaceX plans to turn Starlink into a 'major' US mobile carrier Elon Musk: 'At some point, Starlink will deliver a majority of the world's internet' but how?

And most importantly of all, they need access to a satellite constellation, and while part of the intent here is to support the development of a European constellation, they dont actually plan to build a constellation themselves; rather, theyre looking for a satellite partner.

So dont expect to see a European Starlink alternative anytime soon, but its sounding like there might be one at some point in the future and this is a move that would make sense, given Europes ongoing attempt to lessen its reliance on US services . Get daily insight, inspiration and deals in your inbox Sign up for breaking news, reviews, opinion, top tech deals, and more. Contact me with news and offers from other Future brands Receive email from
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Link to news story: https://www.techradar.com/phones/network-providers/europes-major-mobile-operat ors-are-teaming-up-to-develop-a-starlink-competitor


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