The Commission proposes a new authorisation for mobile satellite services to boost the EU’s resilience and competitiveness

The European Commission has adopted aproposalfor the selection of mobile satellite service (MSS) providers who will be authorised to use the harmonised 2 GHz frequency band beyond 2027, when the current licences expire.

Spectrum for mobile satellite services is a strategic asset that enables innovative commercial use, as well as security and defence applications. The 2 GHz MSS band is ideal for device-to-device (D2D) services, as it provides essential communication capabilities and ensures high-speed internet access in areas without terrestrial coverage.   

The Commission proposes establishing an EU-wide selection procedure for the allocation of this spectrum. Granting an EU-wide authorisation for the use of the 2 GHz frequency band for mobile satellite services across all Member States will ensure regulatory consistency throughout the EU and enable operators to develop and provide cross-border services.

The spectrum would be divided as follows:

• One third of the 2 GHz MSS band would be allocated for government use, such as critical communications, security and defence, and would be operated by an EU operator. This operator will ensure integration with the current and future infrastructure capabilities of the Union’s secure connectivity programme, IRIS².
• Two-thirds of the 2 GHz MSS band would be dedicated to commercial use, such as D2D services for mobile devices, ensuring mobile coverage where there are no terrestrial networks. It could also be used for the Internet of Things, such as fitness trackers, energy monitoring devices and emergency response devices. The spectrum in this band would be divided equally for:
  • use of the band by EU operators entering the market, to promote supplier diversification and encourage the entry of EU suppliers into the market;
  • use of the band by EU and non-EU operators.

The timely availability of secure, resilient, high-performance and innovative satellite services will strengthen the EU’s competitiveness and its critical communications capabilities. Satellite connectivity is a key element of our technological sovereignty, our security and our defence.

Background

The proposed Regulation on the selection and authorisation procedure for the 2 GHz MSS frequency band replaces the2008Decision, under which the current operators were selected. Their authorisations expire in May 2027.

The new 2 GHz MSS Regulation is consistent with the proposal for aDigital Networks Act(DNA), under which all satellite spectrum must be authorised at EU level under a set of conditions to ensure cross-border consistency.

The Commission’s proposal takes into account the Opinions of the Radio Spectrum Policy Group, specifically theMSS Opinion, adopted in 2024, and the‘Direct-to-Device’Opinion, adopted in 2025. The proposal also takes into account thecommentsreceived during the specific consultation conducted by the Commission in 2025 on the future use of the 2 GHz MSS band.

IRIS²(Infrastructure for Resilience, Interconnectivity and Security via Satellite) is the European Union’s Secure Connectivity programme. Its aim is to provide secure communication services to the EU and its Member States, as well as broadband connectivity for European citizens, private companies, government authorities and users in the defence sector.

More information: European Commission.