Major European mobile carriers are teaming up for a ‘direct’ satellite program without Starlink

The joint initiative by Deutsche Telekom, Orange, Telefónica and Vodafone has a clear ambition: to meet customer demand for universal coverage in underserved areas, strengthen the resilience of public networks, protect critical communications, and support the development of a European constellation.

As part of the project, the four operators plan to establish key ground network infrastructure as well as critical coordination and monitoring functions in Europe, without investing directly in a satellite constellation. This will be provided by a satellite partner still to be selected.

The partnership between the MNO-led initiative and the satellite operator would combine European governance and market access with proven satellite technology and deployment expertise.