The European Commission is currently considering how to allocate European mobile satellite frequencies, which will become available in May next year. Then the licenses of the US satellite operators Echostar and Viasat will expire.
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This is reported by the British news agency Reuters, citing two sources close to the Commission. It is unclear how the frequencies should be allocated. The Commission definitely wants to award two thirds of the satellite frequency spectrum to European companies, especially since the European Union is currently trying to make itself more independent of US tech companies.
However, a commissioner demanded that European providers be involved, said one of the informants. In doing so, he went against the responsible commissioner, Henna Virkkunen, who did not want to exclude any company.
Will Virkunnen prevail?
It is likely that the commissioner will prevail, said the source. The commission plans to announce its plan this Wednesday.
According to the two sources, the European satellite program Infrastructure for Resilience, Interconnectivity and Security via Satellite (IRIS²) will receive part of the spectrum. British and Norwegian providers can also apply.
Ultimately, it is likely that the US companies Amazon and SpaceX want to enter the European satellite mobile communications market. Both operate a satellite constellation, Leo and Starlink, in low Earth orbit (LEO).
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The Commission considers satellite communications, which enable internet access and connectivity even in remote regions, to be vital: EU-wide satellite connectivity is “a synonym for resilience, security and performance,” European Commission spokesman Thomas Regnier told Reuters. “Satellite connectivity is an essential part of our technological sovereignty, our security and our defense, as also highlighted by IRIS2,” he said.
(wpl)
