A closer look at “Deutsche Telekom, Orange, Telefónica, and Vodafone Join Forces for European Satellite-to-P”, exactly as the source publishes it. Four of Europe’s largest telecom operators—Deutsche Telekom, Orange, Telefónica, and Vodafone—have signed a letter of intent to explore a joint bid for spectrum that would enable direct-to-device satellite connectivity across the continent. The move is a direct challenge to SpaceX’s Starlink, which has been expanding its satellite-to-phone services globally. The consortium plans to handle ground infrastructure themselves while partnering with an as-yet-unnamed satellite operator for the space segment.
The initiative aims to secure dedicated spectrum that would allow smartphones to connect directly to satellites, bypassing traditional cell towers in remote or underserved areas. By pooling resources, the carriers hope to create a European alternative to Starlink’s growing dominance, ensuring competition and avoiding reliance on a non-European provider. The full version stays on the original page, which this listing opens directly.