EU moves to block Starlink from key satellite services, reserving two-thirds of EU bandwidth for domestic firms
The European Union moves to curb Starlink’s dominance by reserving two-thirds of its satellite bandwidth for domestic operators, a direct challenge to U.S. space firms.
The European Commission has proposed a sweeping overhaul of its satellite communications strategy, mandating that two-thirds of the EU’s satellite bandwidth be allocated exclusively to European companies. Under the plan, non-EU operators—including SpaceX’s Starlink and Amazon’s Project Kuiper—will be restricted to just one-third of available spectrum and barred from providing defense, security, or critical communications services, according to a draft obtained by *EU News* . The Commission will allow these firms to bid for commercial spectrum access, as confirmed by Reuters , but the proposal marks a sharp pivot toward technological sovereignty.
The strategy reflects broader EU efforts to reduce reliance on U.S. technology, as outlined in a draft policy reported by the *Financial Times* . Industry leaders warn the shift could slow innovation, with panelists at *SmallSat Europe* criticizing the EU Space Act as overly bureaucratic and rigid, per *SpaceNews* . Meanwhile, European firms are scaling up to meet the demand: Kongsberg NanoAvionics secured a €122.5 million contract in April to build 280 satellites for sovereign constellations, positioning itself as a key player in the EU’s push for independent space infrastructure .
The move comes as NASA advances its lunar ambitions, partnering with Blue Origin and SpaceX to establish a permanent Moon base by 2032, as reported by *Adevărul* . While the EU’s focus remains on terrestrial satellite networks, the bandwidth restrictions signal a growing geopolitical divide in space, with sovereignty driving both regulatory and industrial strategies.
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