The European Commission has decided on a process to select which entities will hold the licenses to use critical mobile satellite services (MSS) spectrum in Europe. The proposal deals with licenses for the 2 GHz MSS band, spectrum that is harmonized across the EU.
In 2009, the EC selected Inmarsat, now part of Viasat, and Solaris, now part of EchoStar, to operate in this spectrum. EchoStar’s spectrum was part of the SpaceX spectrum purchase that is currently underway. These authorizations run out in May 2027. Now as those authorizations are set to expire next year, Europe must decide who will have access to this valuable spectrum.
On Tuesday the EC adopted a proposal on how it will select the MSS providers, making some changes from the last round. Much of the spectrum will be allocated to EU operators.
This spectrum will be divided among multiple operators, with one third of the block dedicated for an EU operator to provide government use for critical communications, security, and military, to be integrated with the IRIS² program.
Two thirds will be allocated for commercial use, including direct-to-device (D2D) for mobile devices, as well as IoT. Commercial spectrum will be equally divided with half allocated for new EU operators and half for EU and non-EU operators.
Henna Virkkunen, the European Commission executive vice president for Tech Sovereignty, Security and Democracy, called the move a major step forward.
“Our proposal will allow provision of satellite and terrestrial connectivity directly to our mobile devices, ensuring that all areas in the EU, and namely those where terrestrial networks are unavailable, are equipped with voice and broadband internet connectivity. Satellite connectivity is also crucial for our governmental services and Europe’s critical communications,” Virkkunen said in a release.
Whoever receives the authorization for the spectrum will have to pay — according to the adopted proposal, there will be an annual fee to discourage spectrum hoarding, and applicants are also asked to name their price for a one-time financial contribution if selected.
The EC is also calling for business models that provide wholesale access to satellite capacity or spectrum for mobile virtual network operators in order to encourage new market entrants and competition.
Some operators have already been planning an approach to this spectrum. AST SpaceMobile, for example, formed a European joint venture with Vodafone last year called SatCo to be a candidate for access to the EU 2 GHz MSS band.
