Satellite Internet: Europe's cell phone network operators are reaching for space frequencies

Bonn. Europe's major telecommunications companies are pulling together to reach cell phone users from space even in remote areas. Deutsche Telekom, the British provider Vodafone, Telefónica from Spain and Orange from France announced that they want to jointly bid for frequencies for mobile satellite services. A corresponding declaration of intent has been signed. It's about frequencies that are expected to become available in 2029 and have so far been used for Internet connections on airplanes.

The companies said they want to achieve comprehensive coverage even in underserved areas, strengthen the resilience of mobile networks, protect critical communications and support the development of a European satellite constellation. The aim of the cooperation is to ensure Europe's independent position in the area of ​​space infrastructure. There are plans to build central infrastructure on the ground as well as important coordination and control functions in Europe.

Mobile phone customers will be offered direct-to-device services (D2D) - the smartphone will be connected directly to satellites in space where there is currently no mobile phone network. Most smartphones have not yet integrated this D2D function, but it is likely to reach the mass market in the coming years.

It's about white spots - i.e. where the outdated 2G network is no longer available. According to the Federal Network Agency, this was 1.2 percent of Germany's area at Deutsche Telekom in June, 1.7 percent at Vodafone and 1.6 percent at O2Telefónica. In such areas, cell phone users will be connected to satellites in space in the future. It is still unclear who the satellite operator is. It is unlikely to be Elon Musk's space company SpaceX with its Starlink internet service, as the four companies' project is about European sovereignty.