EU antitrust regulators are scrutinizing SES’s $3.1 billion bid to acquire Intelsat, probing whether SpaceX’s Starlink poses a credible rival in the satellite communications market. The European Commission’s review could shape the future of Europe’s space industry.

The Commission has sought feedback from customers of SES and Intelsat to assess Starlink’s competitive impact. According to Reuters, the questionnaire asks if low-earth orbit (LEO) satellite providers like Starlink and Eutelsat’s OneWeb are viable competitors for two-way satellite capacity. It also explores whether LEO suppliers are winning tenders and contracts and their potential to influence competition over the next five years. Additionally, regulators are evaluating customers’ bargaining power and ability to switch to rival suppliers.

SES operates a fleet of about 70 multi-orbit satellites for video broadcasting, government communications, and broadband internet. It aims to scale up through the acquisition of Intelsat. The move is part of a broader push in Europe to bolster home-grown satellite solutions, countering U.S. giants like SpaceX’s Starlink and Amazon’s Project Kuiper.

SES is in talks with the EU Commission and a few European governments to complement Starlink services, addressing concerns over reliance on foreign providers.

“Now the discussions are much more strategic in nature. They’re much more mid-term, long-term. And what we’re seeing is that all of the European governments are serious about increasing their defense spending. There are alternatives, not to completely replace Starlink, that’s not possible, but to augment and complement Starlink,” said SES CEO Adel Al-Saleh.

The EU Commission’s preliminary review of the SES-Intelsat deal is expected to conclude by June 10. The preliminary review will determine whether the SES-Intelsat deal is cleared outright, requires concessions, or faces a full-scale investigation if significant concerns arise. As Europe seeks to strengthen its space-based communication resilience, the outcome could redefine competitive dynamics in the satellite sector.

With Starlink’s LEO technology disrupting traditional satellite services, the Commission’s findings will signal how Europe balances innovation with strategic autonomy. SES’s efforts to scale and collaborate with governments underscore the region’s ambition to remain competitive, potentially reshaping the global satellite landscape as demand for reliable connectivity grows.

SpaceX’s Starlink launch in India is advancing as the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) recommends a five-year satellite spectrum allocation for commercial communication services. The move marks a pivotal step for Elon Musk’s plan to bring high-speed internet to the region.

TRAI’s proposal includes an option to extend the initial five-year spectrum allocation by two years, contingent on market dynamics. The telecom regulator also outlined a pricing structure, charging operators 4% of their adjusted gross revenue for geostationary orbit-based fixed and mobile satellite services. TRAI also set a minimum annual spectrum charge of 3,500 rupees ($41) per megahertz.

TRAI proposed an additional charge of 500 rupees (About $6.00) per subscriber annually in urban areas for non-geostationary orbit-based fixed satellite services. It exempted rural and remote regions from the same charge to boost accessibility. The recommendations align with Starlink’s push to launch services in India, following the Indian government’s conditional approval last week.

Elon Musk has advocated for longer spectrum allocation terms, urging New Delhi to allot spectrum for 20 years to focus on “affordable pricing and longer-term business plans,” as Starlink’s public submissions stated. However, TRAI opted for a shorter initial timeframe to monitor the sector’s growth, a decision influenced by earlier discussions reported Reuters.

Starlink’s market entry is bolstered by strategic partnerships. In March, Musk and Indian billionaire Mukesh Ambani signed a deal allowing Starlink devices to be sold in Ambani’s Reliance stores, leveraging a vast distribution network. The partnership followed a rivalry between the two billionaires.

Ambani’s telco subsidiary had lobbied for spectrum auctions to level the playing field in India’s broadband service market, a proposal Musk criticized for diverging from global practices. Meanwhile, Bharti Airtel, India’s No. 2 telco, secured a distribution deal with Starlink and supported a three-to-five-year license period. Bharti Airtel announced a partnership with Starlink before it received conditional approval from the Indian government.

As Starlink navigates India’s regulatory landscape, TRAI’s recommendations signal a balanced approach to fostering satellite broadband growth. With partnerships and regulatory hurdles clearing, Musk’s vision for affordable, high-speed internet could transform connectivity in India’s urban and rural areas, positioning Starlink as a key player in the country’s telecom evolution.

Starlink will launch on United Airlines planes by May 15, 2025, providing select passengers with free internet inflight.

Recently, Sean Cudahy from The Points Guy tried out United Airlines’ free Starlink Wi-Fi. The airline invited a few media to try out Starlink Aviation Wi-Fi before its official launch.

According to Cudahy, connecting to Starlink was easy. All he had to do was take out his phone and connect to the Unitedwifi.com network, which took him to a landing page. Once he clicked “get started” on the landing page, it opened the United mobile app on his phone.

The United app verified Cudahy’s status as a MileagePlus member. After that, all he had to do was click on “connect,” and he was all set. Starlink’s speed was reliable and just what passengers would need on a long flight.

“I ran a speed test, and it clocked the Wi-Fi at 217 Mbps of download speed, and 26.8 Mbps of upload speed,” noted Cudahy.

Cudahy added that connection to Starlink Wi-Fi on his other devices, like his tablet, was easier. All he had to do was scan a QR code on his phone from his tablet.

“United certainly isn’t exaggerating on the speed of the service: I was able to simultaneously watch a live news feed about the selection of a new Pope on one device, and stream a live Major League Baseball game on another,” The Points Guy noted in his review of Starlink Aviation.

United Airlines is offering Starlink services for free to MileagePlus members. Based on Cudahy’s experience, it’s best to download the United mobile app before your flight.

United Airlines expects to equip all 300 of its Embraer 175 planes with Starlink by the end of the year. It plans to install 40 regional jets with Starlink equipment every month.

Last month, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) approved United Airlines’ Starlink-equipped planes. United plans to roll out Starlink Wi-Fi across all its flights. It is currently working to receive FAA approval to install Starlink equipment on over 16 aircraft models.