As Europe doubles down on its technological sovereignty, security, and defence, the European Commission has adopted a proposed regulation covering the valuable 2 GHz mobile satellite services (MSS) frequency band, which is presently utilized by two US firms: Viasat for European Aviation Network (EAN)-powered inflight connectivity, and EchoStar for IoT and mobile connectivity.

Taking what could be described as a biblical Solomon-like approach to the matter, while favoring European interests, the EC said it intends to divide the available spectrum within the band, dedicating one third to government use including defence. This slice will be managed by an EU operator, which will also be responsible for ensuring integration with IRIS², the forthcoming multi-orbit satellite constellation that is to provide secure communications for EU institutions as supported by a coalition of SES, Eutelsat and Hipasat.

The remaining two thirds of the spectrum would be dedicated to commercial use, such as direct-to-device (D2D) services where terrestrial networks are unavailable, IoT applications, and indeed IFC, but this portion will be divided equally for use by EU operators entering the market, and then separately for use by both EU and non-EU operators.

A plan is still being thrashed out for both the fees and the selection process. But the slice of spectrum earmarked for commercial EU or non-EU operators is relevant to Carlsbad, California-based Viasat, which is widely expected to compete for it. Bonn, Germany-headquartered Deutsche Telekom, Viasat’s ground-segment partner in the hybrid air-to-ground (ATG)/S-band satellite-based EAN, could prove an advantageous ally.

Viasat stays positive

The reshaped MSS licensing regime won’t happen overnight, as the EC’s proposal must be debated and agreed upon by the European Parliament and Council, a legislative process that could bleed into 2028.

There are also requirements that commercial applicants ensure compliance of their proposed commercial MSS system with the ITU Radio Regulation, and commit to meeting population and geographic coverage criteria within a five-year timeframe.

While Viasat and EchoStar’s licenses are set to expire in May 2027, the EC says their existing rights can be extended, upon request, for a period of two years on the condition of non-transferability.

That’s good news for airline passengers, given that EAN’s largest customers IAG Group and Lufthansa Group, are in the process of migrating to Starlink, and the latter doesn’t expect the process to be finished until at least 2029.

But Viasat sees runway for the EAN beyond 2029, RGN can confirm.

“Given our ongoing aviation business in Europe, Viasat is encouraged that the EC decision provides a path for service continuity for as much as another seven years and also provides a path beyond that for both EU and non-EU operators,” says a Viasat spokesperson.

Close observers of the IFC industry will appreciate the irony that Viasat, once an adversary of the EAN, could yet prove its savior, depending on the company’s next steps. Whether or not the limited spectrum and ergo modified service will impress passengers remains to be seen.

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