Deutsche Telekom, Orange, Telefónica, and Vodafone have announced a collaborative effort to establish a European direct-to-device satellite program. The companies signed a letter of intent to pursue a joint bid for the necessary spectrum to operate the network. This move is widely viewed as a strategic effort to create a regional alternative to SpaceX’s Starlink, which currently dominates the direct-to-satellite market.

Under the proposed model, the four telecom giants would manage the terrestrial ground infrastructure, while an as-yet-unnamed satellite partner would be responsible for launching and maintaining the satellite constellation. The consortium stated that the primary goal of this initiative is to meet increasing consumer demand for universal mobile coverage in remote or underserved regions. Additionally, the companies emphasized that the project is intended to strengthen the overall resilience of European public networks.

While the announcement outlines a clear ambition for regional independence in satellite connectivity, the specific details regarding the satellite partner remain undisclosed. The Verge reports that the initiative is explicitly positioned to provide competition for SpaceX, though the consortium has not yet provided a timeline for the deployment of the constellation or the acquisition of the spectrum.