Via Satellite
• Rachel Jewett
As Europe considers reserving part of its mobile satellite services spectrum authorization for European operators, the European Space Policy Institute says the approach should go further. It argues that Europe should maximize its control over the space segment as well, making strategic autonomy a central consideration in spectrum policy.
Space Policy & International Cooperation
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As Europe considers reserving part of its mobile satellite services spectrum authorization for European operators, the European Space Policy Institute says the approach should go further. It argues that Europe should maximize its control over the space segment as well, making strategic autonomy a central consideration in spectrum policy.
The International Telecommunication Union, the UN body responsible for coordinating international telecommunications, has more than 4,000 satellite network filings awaiting review. The backlog highlights the challenge of keeping regulatory processes aligned with rapidly changing satellite technologies, according to the article.
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Day three of the Riyadh gathering covered satellite identification, cybersecurity threats in space, live interference in geostationary orbit and progress at the UN Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space. The recap also assessed the three days’ implications ahead of the 2027 World Radiocommunication Conference.
Bavaria and North Rhine-Westphalia are vying to host Germany’s European Space Component Command and Space Safety and Security Academy. Accessibility could prove decisive in selecting the location, positioning the outcome as an early test of how Germany will organize its space-security institutions.
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Day two of the Riyadh discussions covered direct-to-device satellite timelines, Europe’s 2 GHz mobile-satellite-services deadline, the costs of orbital debris and preparations for WRC-27. Regulators stressed that allocating spectrum does not itself authorize its use, underscoring the distinction between international frequency decisions and national licensing.
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An analysis of sovereign Earth observation examines the dependencies behind national capabilities, the role of interoperability and which functions must remain available when systems are stressed or fail. It frames sovereignty not simply as ownership of satellites, but as the resilience of the broader capability.
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SpaceX’s planned acquisition of up to 14 MHz of paired 800-MHz spectrum from Grain Management has sharpened investor focus on its satellite-to-phone ambitions. Piper Sandler downgraded AST SpaceMobile to Neutral and cut its price target to $54 from $98, citing deployment uncertainty in 2026–27; Bernstein also downgraded AT&T over SpaceX competition.
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Day-one discussions in Riyadh offered five lessons for Europe, drawing on perspectives from France’s ANFR, the UK’s Ofcom, Ookla, the UN Office for Outer Space Affairs and Foradori. The issues included the IRIS² satellite program, direct-to-device connectivity, spectrum negotiations ahead of the 2027 World Radiocommunication Conference and space security.
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