EU Presidency Circulates New Satellite Authorisation Text
The Irish Presidency's second compromise text sets out how mobile satellite service systems in the 2 GHz band would be authorised.
Updated on Nov. 4, 2026 in Telecommunications
The Irish Presidency of the EU Council released a second compromise text dated 30 October on the authorisation procedure for mobile satellite service systems in the 2 GHz band. The Working Party on Telecommunications will examine the text on 5 November.
Why it matters
The text would have the Commission select operators while national authorities grant frequency-use authorisations, shaping how satellite service providers gain access to European spectrum. The document states that spectrum constitutes a national resource, which underpins the division of responsibilities.
The compromise text governs authorisation for mobile satellite service systems operating in the 2 GHz band. Under the revised structure, the Commission retains responsibility for selecting applicants and for a general authorisation covering networks and services, while the outcome of the Working Party's review remains unresolved.
The players
Council of the European Union
The Council of the European Union is the EU body representing national governments that negotiates and adopts EU legislation alongside the European Parliament.
Irish Presidency of the EU Council
Ireland holds the rotating Presidency of the Council of the EU and chairs negotiations on legislative files, including this satellite spectrum procedure.
The details
The second compromise text, dated 30 October, keeps Commission responsibility for selecting applicants and for a general authorisation for networks and services, while national authorities will grant frequency-use authorisations to the operators the Commission selects. It also allocates one-off financial contributions to Member States rather than the European Competitiveness Fund, departing from the first Presidency text's European-level authorisation covering spectrum, networks and services.
Timeline
30 October 2026: Irish Presidency issues the second compromise text on the MSS authorisation procedure.
5 November 2026: The Working Party on Telecommunications examines the text.
Roadmap
The text applies the European Electronic Communications Code's authorisation framework to mobile satellite services in the 2 GHz band, adapting general licensing principles to a spectrum resource. It reflects the broader EU effort to coordinate how satellite and terrestrial operators access European frequencies.
For satellite service providers, the revised text determines whether they must obtain authorisation from the Commission and national regulators to use 2 GHz spectrum. Consumers would see the effects only through the availability of mobile satellite services once the procedure is finalised.
The takeaway
Spectrum is treated as a national resource, so the balance between EU-level selection and national frequency authorisation will shape how satellite operators reach European markets. Readers tracking telecom policy should watch the Working Party's response on 5 November.
What happens next
The Working Party on Telecommunications will examine the second compromise text on 5 November 2026.
Further reading
Explore more Telecommunications coverage for context on spectrum policy and satellite networks.
More information
Read the second compromise text on the MSS authorisation procedure from the Council of the EU.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Agence Europe.
