EU reserves a third of 2 GHz spectrum for IRIS²
What happened
On May 27, 2026, the European Commission published COM(2026)311 — a proposed Regulation on authorisation of systems providing mobile satellite services (MSS) in the harmonised 2 GHz band (1980–2010 MHz / 2170–2200 MHz). Spectrum allocation: one-third exclusively for EU operators providing government/critical/defence MSS, explicitly integrated with IRIS²; one-third for EU operators providing commercial MSS (new entrants favoured); one-third open to EU and non-EU operators for commercial use. SpaceX (Starshield/Starlink D2D) and Viasat/EchoStar hold current 2GHz licences expiring May 2027 — both are non-EU operators and under COM(2026)311 would be confined to the open one-third. Spain's government publicly endorsed the proposal at the EU Telecommunications Council on June 9, 2026, citing the European Commission's goal "to reserve satellite spectrum for European companies for the first time." Via Satellite published a June 24 analysis framing COM(2026)311 as "A Test Case for Sovereignty in Satcom." SpaceNews has separately confirmed the proposal "clouds SpaceX and Viasat plans." LightReading reports the EU is risking US trade ire with these limits. AST SpaceMobile / Satellite Connect Europe (Vodafone JV), which is eyeing 2GHz for D2D service, is caught mid-structure: its planned EU constellation has a "command switch" for European oversight but is still a US-headquartered parent. COM(2026)311 still requires European Parliament and Council approval — member state positions are forming now ahead of a general approach.
Read-across for SES
COM(2026)311 is the most direct legal mechanism protecting SpaceRISE's competitive position in the EU's 2GHz band. If adopted as proposed: (a) the government/IRIS² third is ring-fenced for SpaceRISE — no Starlink Starshield, no AST direct D2D service in EU government channels; (b) the EU new entrant commercial third advantages Satellite Connect Europe (AST/Vodafone) over Starlink Direct only if the AST JV qualifies as EU-domiciled — the "command switch" architecture was specifically designed to enable this argument; (c) Starlink is legally limited to the open third for EU commercial D2D. Net: SpaceRISE's 2GHz government D2D monopoly is being codified in regulation. The political risk is US trade retaliation forcing concessions before adoption. This should be SES's highest-priority Brussels lobbying focus for the next 60–90 days. The European Space Forum (June 30–July 2, 4 days) is the critical venue to read Council member state positions ahead of the general approach.
As the brief filed it
EU COM(2026)311 advancing through Council — May 27 proposal reserves 1/3 of 2GHz band exclusively for EU operators/IRIS2 government use; 1/3 for EU new entrants; Spain publicly endorsed June 9; SpaceX + Viasat 2GHz licenses expire May 2027; US trade pushback signalled in trade press; Via Satellite June 24 frames it as sovereignty test — most direct spectrum lever locking SpaceRISE into the IRIS2 government lane and disadvantaging Starlink/AST direct D2D service in Europe.