EU Commission proposes European takeover of mobile satellite services

The European Commission is proposing a significant shift in the mobile satellite services sector, aiming to place European providers at the helm of most services within the EU. This move is part of a broader strategy to bolster the bloc's technological sovereignty and enhance the resilience of its communication networks.

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More than ever before, high-capacity and wide-coverage satellite connections are crucial for strengthening the resilience of the EU's communication networks.

Central to the proposal is the revision of terms for selecting mobile satellite service providers. This will affect who can utilize the harmonized 2 GHz frequency band (MSS) after 2027, when current licenses expire. The Commission views this specific frequency band as ideal for providing high-speed internet access in areas lacking terrestrial coverage, making it crucial for security and defense applications.

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Our proposal will make it possible to deliver satellite and terrestrial connection directly to our mobile devices.

Under the proposed changes, a third of the 2 GHz MSS band will be reserved for public authorities, including critical communication, security, and military purposes, to be supplied exclusively by an EU operator. This ensures that essential government communications remain under European control. The remaining two-thirds will be allocated for commercial use, with the Commission prioritizing EU operators for one-third of this portion as well. The final third will remain open to both EU and non-EU operators, but the overall effect will significantly increase the market share of European companies.

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This should ensure that all areas in the EU, and particularly those where terrestrial networks are not available, are equipped with voice and broadband internet connection.

This initiative is part of a larger technological package the EU is developing to enhance independence in areas like cloud computing and artificial intelligence. While the ambition has already drawn criticism from figures like former U.S. President Donald Trump, who has raised concerns about trade balances, EU Commissioner Henna Virkkunen defended the approach, noting that the U.S. has also prioritized domestic providers for its own MSS bands. Virkkunen stressed the continued importance of global cooperation in these service areas.

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We have seen that the USA has allocated its MSS band to an American provider, even though there was an interested European provider.