Satellite enabled mobile services – European and UK regulation

European approach

At European level, the CEPT, the body bringing together the administrations of 46 European countries, has been reviewing how to manage the technical and regulatory issues affecting D2D satellite connectivity. The objective is to agree on a common view across these countries on authorisations for satellite-based services.

While the discussions on a shared roadmap were due to lead to a final report by February 2025, the timelines have now been extended to February 2026. So industry will have to hold its breath for a constructive outcome until early next year. Meantime, the focus for service providers will be engaging with the applicable regulators territory by territory.

UK approach

The UK regulator, Ofcom, has been pursuing its own assessment of the preferred approach to licensing of direct to device (D2D) services, mobile-satellite services (MSS) and other space-based communications services. Following a consultation, Ofcom set out its evaluation of the industry responses and a pathway for managing the licensing principles affecting these services, as they move from niche applications to mass market offerings.

Aside from D2D services (which we comment on separately here), Ofcom presented its proposed way forward in a statement in November 2024.

MSS - Ofcom is planning to review its approach to authorisations of MSS, which provide two-way voice or narrowband data communications to users on the move or in remote locations, in the Financial Year 2025/2026. This review will consider moving current authorisations to a light licence basis (which is simpler and more cost-effective) to better manage the sharing environment between systems as deployments grow. Additionally, Ofcom will explore making further radio frequency bands available for use under these light licences to support the evolving needs of MSS.

2 GHz MSS band - there is significant interest in the 2 GHz MSS spectrum, particularly for deploying satellite IoT and D2D satellite services across Europe. Ofcom plans to review the use of this spectrum before the existing licences expire in 2027. This review will consider the varying bandwidth requirements for different services, with IoT stakeholders encouraging an allocation of 1 MHz per service, within an overall block of 5MHz, and other players highlighting a need for 2x15 MHz blocks.

Satellite IoT - these services provide connectivity in areas where terrestrial networks are unavailable or unreliable. Satellite IoT is particularly beneficial for sectors like forestry, logistics, and smart cities. Ofcom is engaged in ongoing work in Europe on a draft ECC Decision regarding satellite IoT transmissions in the 862-870 MHz Short Range Device bands. The ECC Decision is expected to be finalised in July 2025, after which Ofcom will consider implementing the recommendation in the UK.

High Altitude Platform Services (HAPS) – HAPS are aircraft and balloon-based technologies operating in the stratosphere, providing services like wireless communication and environmental monitoring. These platforms offer a flexible and cost-effective alternative to satellites and terrestrial networks, enhancing connectivity and observation capabilities. While the 2024 Ofcom consultation identified potential benefits of HAPS for delivering D2D satellite services, Ofcom received limited responses on this topic. As a result, Ofcom is not currently planning to develop proposals to authorise HAPS in the UK but is open to reviewing this in future.