Europe needs a single voice on digital infrastructure

The European Union's proposal to reserve satellite frequencies for European providers has drawn sharp warnings from Washington. The United States ambassador in Brussels warned that restricting access for American operators like Starlink could prompt retaliatory measures, leaving the specific details of those actions open.

Sceptics of European intervention argue that restricting frequency access threatens open global competition and could limit choice for consumers. That concern deserves a fair hearing, as competitive digital markets are essential for innovation and lower costs.

Yet vital digital infrastructure cannot be left entirely to foreign suppliers. A single European state attempting to set its own frequency rules would quickly be overwhelmed by commercial and geopolitical pressure. Setting common standards at the Union level gives Europe the scale required to protect its strategic autonomy.

Europe can establish clear regulatory boundaries while remaining a reliable partner to its allies. By acting as a unified continental block, Europe secures the leverage needed to negotiate fair, stable rules with global tech providers rather than reacting to threats of trade retaliation.