European telecom giants plot satellite challenge to Starlink
Source: The Next Web
Deutsche Telekom, Orange, Vodafone, and Telefónica are exploring a joint bid for European satellite spectrum. The move signals that terrestrial carriers view Starlink as a competitive threat to their core broadband and backhaul revenue, not a potential partner. A pooled consortium could let them deploy a unified rival system without cannibalizing each other's existing markets—something none could achieve alone at SpaceX's scale and speed. The pressure is regulatory. EU authorities want homegrown satellite infrastructure, and a carrier-backed consortium may be the only viable path to secure spectrum and capital without ceding the next decade of connectivity to American players.