The European Commission is preparing a proposal to reserve two-thirds of mobile satellite spectrum for European firms while allowing U.S. companies like Starlink and Amazon to bid for remaining access.

Key Points

• The European Union plans to prioritize regional companies for mobile satellite spectrum to reduce reliance on U.S. technology providers.
• The EU’s IRIS2 satellite constellation, consisting of 290 satellites, is slated to receive a significant portion of the available spectrum.
• Current licenses held by U.S.-based Viasat and EchoStar are scheduled to expire in May 2027.
• British and Norwegian companies will also be eligible to participate in the upcoming spectrum bidding process.
• The official proposal is expected to be announced following a meeting of European commissioners this Wednesday.

Why it Matters

This policy shift highlights the European Union's strategic push to bolster technological sovereignty and security amid increasing geopolitical tensions. By prioritizing regional infrastructure like IRIS2, the bloc aims to ensure long-term control over critical satellite connectivity and defense communications.