Starlink, the satellite internet arm of SpaceX, has declared war on the European Commission over a tender for mobile satellite frequencies worth billions. Brussels wants to bar American and Chinese companies from the contest, effectively handing the market to the French-British operator Eutelsat. Elon Musk’s firm calls the move a violation of international telecom rules and a threat to consumers across Europe.
The dispute centers on the MSS frequency band intended for direct-to-cell satellite connections. The European Commission has proposed a regulation to member states that would automatically exclude non-European entities from bidding. Starlink, which controls around 6,000 satellites in low Earth orbit, planned to compete for the right to use these frequencies to connect smartphones directly to its constellation.
However, under the commission’s plan, only European-based operators would be allowed to participate. Currently, the sole European company capable of providing mobile satellite services is Eutelsat, a Franco-British group in which the French government holds nearly 30 percent of the capital and the UK government owns 10.89 percent. Eutelsat received a 1.5 billion euro injection last year but is still far from being able to deliver fast internet to hundreds of millions of users.
Brussels accused of protectionist overreach
Starlink has published a white paper attacking the proposed exclusion rules. The company argues that the draft regulation contradicts guidelines set by the International Telecommunication Union and risks depriving Europeans of direct-to-device satellite services. “The proposed exclusion from the tender is inconsistent with the ITU’s framework and poses a risk that Europeans will be cut off from satellite-based services delivered directly to their mobile phones,” the white paper states.
SpaceX’s subsidiary also warns that the move would stifle innovation and slow the rollout of a technology that could eliminate dead zones across the continent. Starlink has been rapidly expanding its satellite fleet, launching new, more capable units aboard Falcon 9 rockets as older ones deorbit and burn up in the atmosphere.
Geopolitical test for EU tech autonomy
The showdown comes at a time when the European Union is pushing for strategic autonomy in critical infrastructure. Yet critics point out that Eutelsat, despite generous state backing, still lacks the scale and technical maturity to compete with Starlink’s proven network. “The real risk is that the EU will end up with a costly, substandard system while millions of potential users remain offline,” commented Wojciech Żurawski, a journalist covering the tech sector.
The Starlink-EU clash also mirrors a broader transatlantic rift over market access. Washington has already signalled its displeasure with protectionist tendencies in Brussels. If the proposal is adopted, it could trigger a trade dispute and slow the growth of satellite broadband in Europe at a time when global demand is surging. The final decision now rests with the European Council and the European Parliament.
Źródło: WNP.PL, Fot. bella1105/Shutterstock
