US Threatens Europe with 'Devastating' Action Over Starlink Competitor
The US Ambassador to the European Union warned of 'devastating' measures after four European telecom companies formed a coalition to bid for satellite spectrum in the 2 GHz band.
US Ambassador to the European Union Andrew Pazder warned that Washington could take 'devastating' measures in response to any threat to the interests of SpaceX and its Starlink satellite internet service, according to a Financial Times report cited by Advanced Television.
The warning comes after four major European telecom operators—Deutsche Telekom, Orange, Telefónica, and Vodafone—signed a letter of intent on October 19 to participate in a joint bid for mobile satellite service spectrum in the 2 GHz band, scheduled for auction in 2027 and expected to be available from the middle of the same year.
The four companies intend to use a partner satellite operator rather than build their own fleet, opening the door to direct competition with Starlink in the direct-to-cell market. Brussels plans to split the spectrum into three parts: one for European military use, one for European commercial activity, and one open to both European and non-European bidders.
AST SpaceMobile, which operates a joint venture with Vodafone in Luxembourg covering 21 European markets, welcomed the move and described the four companies as its partners. Shares of European satellite operators Eutelsat and SES rose as talk of a European alternative to Starlink intensified.
What Do These Terms Mean?
Frequency Spectrum: A range of radio waves used by communication networks, broadcasting, and satellites, regulated by countries to prevent signal interference between operators.
S-band: A frequency band around 2 GHz used in mobile communications and satellites, requiring regulatory licenses prior to operation.
Letter of Intent: A legally non-binding document in which parties declare their intention to cooperate on a project or deal, before moving to a formal agreement.
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