EU defends post-2027 satellite-frequency plan, urges SpaceX to restore Starlink in Ukraine
The European Commission set out a proposal to reallocate the 2 GHz mobile-satellite spectrum after current licences expire in May 2027, reserving one third of the band for protected government communications, one third exclusively for European operators, and one third open to all providers, including Starlink. Separately, the Commission called on SpaceX to "urgently and fully" restore Starlink services reported to be restricted in Ukraine, saying the system is critical for Ukraine's military communications, civilian protection and defence drones. SpaceX has warned the frequency plan could worsen Starlink's capabilities in Europe and affect connectivity in Ukraine.
Key points
- The Commission proposes splitting the 2 GHz band into three equal parts: protected government, European-only, and open to all (including non-European operators).
- Starlink would retain access to the one third of spectrum open to all operators; the other two thirds would be reserved for European providers or government use.
- Operators of protected government satellite communications, including for military use, must be European, according to Commission spokesperson Thomas Regnier.
- The Commission called on SpaceX to "urgently and fully" restore Starlink services in Ukraine, citing critical importance for military communications, civilian protection and defence drones.
- Deutsche Telekom, Orange, Telefónica and Vodafone agreed to jointly bid for direct-to-smartphone satellite frequencies, though they do not plan to build their own constellation.
- SpaceX warned the redistribution could worsen Starlink's capabilities in Europe and potentially affect connectivity in Ukraine.
- The discussion concerns mainly future direct-to-device (satellite-to-smartphone) services, not standard Starlink satellite internet via terminals.
Why it matters
The redistribution gives European operators a guaranteed share of strategically important satellite spectrum and reserves the protected government tier for European providers only, reshaping the long-term map of who provides satellite connectivity in Europe. The same week the Commission also publicly put pressure on SpaceX to undo reported Starlink restrictions affecting Ukraine, signalling that Brussels views Ukraine's frontline connectivity as part of its own security domain.
What happened
At a Brussels briefing on 21 October, European Commission defence and space spokesperson Thomas Regnier outlined a proposal to reallocate the 2 GHz mobile-satellite spectrum once current licences expire in May 2027. Under the plan, the band would be divided into three equal parts: one third for protected government communications, one third exclusively for European operators, and one third open to all — European and non-European — including Starlink. Regnier said the operator of the protected government tier, which can include military use, must be European. The Commission stressed the redistribution does not mean the complete displacement of Starlink or other non-European operators from the EU market. Separately, Regnier called on SpaceX to "urgently and fully" restore Starlink services in Ukraine, where recent reports indicated speeds had been throttled, and said Starlink is critical to Ukraine's military communications, civilian protection and defence-drone operations. SpaceX has criticised the frequency plan, warning it could weaken Starlink's capabilities in Europe and potentially affect connectivity in Ukraine.
Background
The current 2 GHz mobile-satellite licences in Europe were issued in 2009 to two operators that were European at the time but have since been acquired by U.S. companies; both hold contracts with Starlink. Those licences expire in May 2027, after which the Commission's new three-tier allocation would apply. The disputed spectrum primarily concerns future direct-to-device (satellite-to-smartphone) services rather than standard Starlink satellite internet delivered through user terminals.