Facing Elon Musk, Four European Operators Plan to Bet on Satellites

On October 19, 2026, Orange, Deutsche Telekom, Telefónica and Vodafone signed a letter of intent to explore a joint bid for satellite frequencies in Europe. Their project would use direct-to-device technology, allowing compatible phones to connect directly to satellites in areas without mobile coverage or when terrestrial antennas are unavailable. The operators do not plan to build their own satellite constellation; instead, they would pool ground infrastructure and control functions in Europe and seek a technical partner to provide the satellite component. The initiative aims to strengthen communications resilience and security amid Starlink’s existing market presence and recent disruptions to Ukrainian drone operations linked to restrictions on SpaceX services.