Europe’s Top Carriers in Talks for Satellite-to-Mobile Venture
Deutsche Telekom IoT, Iridium, and Toyota successfully demonstrated voice messaging via Iridium NTN Direct. The test used a Toyota vehicle with a Nordic Semiconductor nRF9151 board and a Deutsche Telekom IoT SIM. This technical milestone occurs as Deutsche Telekom continues preliminary talks with Orange, Telefonica, and Vodafone to form a consortium. The group seeks a joint bid for European Union satellite spectrum in the 2 GHz range to provide direct-to-device services and compete with Starlink.
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- ✓ Deutsche Telekom IoT, Iridium, and Toyota successfully transmitted a voice message using Iridium NTN Direct.
- ✓ The demonstration used a Toyota vehicle equipped with a Deutsche Telekom IoT SIM and a Nordic Semiconductor nRF9151 development board.
What changed
Deutsche Telekom IoT demonstrated a successful satellite voice message transmission in partnership with Iridium and Toyota.
Live updates
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Deutsche Telekom Tests Satellite Voice Messaging Amid EU Consortium Talks
Deutsche Telekom IoT, Iridium, and Toyota successfully demonstrated voice messaging via Iridium NTN Direct. The test used a Toyota vehicle with a Nordic Semiconductor nRF9151 board and a Deutsche Telekom IoT SIM. This technical milestone occurs as Deutsche Telekom continues preliminary talks with Orange, Telefonica, and Vodafone to form a consortium. The group seeks a joint bid for European Union satellite spectrum in the 2 GHz range to provide direct-to-device services and compete with Starlink.
Why it matters
European carriers are attempting to secure dedicated spectrum that Starlink cannot access to maintain control over mobile connectivity. The shift toward satellite-to-mobile integration allows standard devices to connect to satellites without specialized hardware.
What is confirmed
- Deutsche Telekom IoT, Iridium, and Toyota successfully transmitted a voice message using Iridium NTN Direct.
- The demonstration used a Toyota vehicle equipped with a Deutsche Telekom IoT SIM and a Nordic Semiconductor nRF9151 development board.
Still unconfirmed
- Deutsche Telekom, Orange, Telefonica, and Vodafone are in early talks to bid on EU 2 GHz satellite spectrum.
What to watch next
- EU decision on the reservation of the 2 GHz spectrum for a European operator
- Formal announcement of a consortium agreement between the four European carriers
confidence 90%Sources used for this update (5)
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- finance.yahoo.com — Iridium, Deutsche Telekom IoT, and Toyota Demonstrate Voice Messaging over Satellite via Iridium NTN Direct
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European Telecom Giants Discuss Satellite-to-Mobile Consortium
Deutsche Telekom, Orange, Telefonica, and Vodafone are in preliminary talks to form a consortium for a joint bid on European Union satellite spectrum. The group intends to offer direct-to-device mobile services, specifically targeting the 2 GHz spectrum the EU has proposed reserving for a European operator. This move positions the carriers to compete directly with Elon Musk's Starlink by securing spectrum that Starlink cannot access. The discussions are currently in early stages, according to reports from Bloomberg and other news agencies.
Why it matters
Direct-to-device technology allows standard smartphones to connect to satellites without specialized hardware. By securing regional spectrum, European carriers aim to maintain control over mobile connectivity and reduce reliance on non-EU satellite providers.
What is confirmed
- Deutsche Telekom, Orange, Telefonica, and Vodafone are in talks to form a satellite-to-mobile venture.
- The consortium is considering a joint bid for EU satellite spectrum to provide direct-to-device services.
Still unconfirmed
- The carriers are targeting a specific portion of the 2 GHz spectrum proposed for a European operator.
- The venture is intended to directly challenge Starlink.
What to watch next
- Official confirmation of the consortium from the participating carriers
- EU announcement regarding the allocation of the 2 GHz satellite spectrum
confidence 90%Sources used for this update (14)
- www.thestar.com.my — OpenAI top scientist urges ‘extreme caution’ with pace of AI
- Bloomberg.com — Europe’s Top Carriers in Talks for Satellite-to-Mobile Venture
- Reuters — Europe’s biggest mobile operators in talks for satellite-to-mobile venture, Bloomberg News reports
- The Next Web — Europe's carriers want the spectrum Starlink can't have
- Newsquawk — Deutsche Telekom (DTE GY), Orange (ORA FP), Vodafone (VOD LN), Telefonica in venture talks (TEF SM); in talks for satellite-to-mobile venture
- Investing.com — Europe’s top carriers weigh satellite-to-mobile consortium: Bloomberg
- www.irishexaminer.com — Europe’s top carriers in talks to rival Starlink
- www.lightreading.com — EU telcos close ranks against Starlink in bid for satellite spectrum – report
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- www.thestar.com.my — Google, Cathay use AI to tackle aviation’s top climate headache
- uk.finance.yahoo.com — Major European Telecom Operators Consider Mobile Satellite Consortium
- www.marketscreener.com — European Telco Giants Discuss Joint Bid for Satellite-to-Mobile Services, Bloomberg Says, Citing Sources
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