EU allows Starlink and Amazon to bid for spectrum
The European Commission has proposed a compromise that allows non-EU satellite operators to bid for mobile spectrum while reserving one-third for regional security needs. This decision aims to balance European technological sovereignty with market competition and will extend existing licenses for Viasat and EchoStar.
The European Commission will allow non-European satellite operators including Starlink and AMAZON.COM INC to bid for mobile satellite spectrum. This proposal reserves one-third of the available frequency for state security and military use by European providers. This decision balances the bloc's push for technological sovereignty with the practical need for high-speed connectivity in remote regions.
### Splitting the 2 GHz Band The European Commission plans to divide two-thirds of the 2 GHz frequency band equally between domestic and international operators. This compromise follows internal debates where some officials sought to exclude providers from the United States. The remaining third is designated for the IRIS2 multi-orbit array, a network of 290 satellites designed as Europe’s answer to Starlink.
