德意志电信、Orange、Telefónica和Vodafone已签署意向书，以探讨在欧洲联合竞标卫星频谱。四家公司于周一在联合声明中宣布了这一消息。
Deutsche Telekom, Orange, Telefónica and Vodafone have signed a letter of intent to explore a joint bid for satellite spectrum in Europe. The four companies announced it on Monday in a joint release.
该频谱用于移动卫星服务（MSS），即连接卫星与移动设备的无线电频率。竞标将针对其在欧洲的未来分配。意向书仅承诺四家公司探索竞标，且未给出时间表。
The spectrum is for mobile satellite services (MSS), the radio frequencies that link satellites with mobile devices. The bid would be for its future allocation in Europe. The letter commits the four only to explore a bid, and they gave no timetable.
他们表示，该计划支持欧盟委员会加强欧洲在关键连接方面的主权、安全和韧性的目标。四家公司将为每家移动运营商提供开放、非歧视性的接入，以向其客户提供直连设备（D2D）服务。他们表示，该模式旨在促进竞争并扩大消费者选择。
They said the plan supports the European Commission’s aim of strengthening Europe’s sovereignty, security and resilience in critical connectivity. The four would give every mobile operator open, non-discriminatory access to offer direct-to-device (D2D) services to its customers. The model is meant to foster competition and expand consumer choice, they said.
地面网络，而非卫星 四家公司计划在欧洲建设关键地面网络，并配备关键的协调和监控功能。他们不会直接投资于卫星星座。该星座将来自他们尚未选择的卫星合作伙伴。
Ground network, not satellites The four plan to set up the key ground network in Europe, along with critical coordination and monitoring functions. They will not invest directly in a satellite constellation. The constellation would come from a satellite partner they have yet to select.
他们表示，目标是为服务不足的地区提供覆盖，使公共网络更具韧性，并保护关键通信。他们还希望支持欧洲星座的发展。
They said they aim to bring coverage to underserved areas, make public networks more resilient and protect critical communications. They also want to support the development of a European constellation.
四家公司表示，该意向书不会取代现有的卫星合作伙伴关系。AST SpaceMobile作为四家公司的合作伙伴，也于周一宣布了该意向书。其表示，通过其合资企业Satellite Connect Europe，它在欧洲提供地面站。
The letter does not replace existing satellite partnerships, the four said. AST SpaceMobile, which counts all four as partners, also announced the letter on Monday. It said it supplies ground stations in Europe through its joint venture, Satellite Connect Europe.
TNW曾在9月报道，引述彭博社的消息称，四家运营商正就成立合资卫星企业进行早期谈判。布鲁塞尔与2 GHz频段今年5月，欧盟表示正在考虑一项计划，将2 GHz频段的一部分保留给欧洲企业使用。这些企业将利用该频段提供卫星服务。SpaceX对该计划提出批评，称这将恶化乌克兰的服务，据《The Verge》报道，该报道引用了《金融时报》的消息。
TNW reported in September, citing Bloomberg, that the four carriers were in early talks about a joint satellite venture. Brussels and the 2 GHz band In May, the European Union said it was considering a plan to reserve part of the 2 GHz band for European companies. They would use it to offer satellite services. SpaceX criticised the idea, saying it would worsen service in Ukraine, The Verge reported, citing the Financial Times.
在美国，AT&T、T-Mobile和Verizon今年早些时候宣布了自己的合作计划。该计划将把各自在农村地区和信号盲区中的频谱资源进行整合。
In the US, AT&T, T-Mobile and Verizon announced their own collaboration earlier this year. It would combine their spectrum in rural areas and dead zones.
Ookla首席行业分析师Luke Kehoe在Advanced Television的采访中将其称为商业层面的考量。
Luke Kehoe, lead industry analyst at Ookla, called it a commercial concern, in comments carried by Advanced Television.
“欧洲的运营商希望避免在卫星覆盖方面沦为事实上的虚拟运营商（MVNO），即以别人的服务、按别人的条件来销售自己的服务。获得MSS频谱将使他们谈判中拥有更强的筹码。”——Luke Kehoe，Ookla首席行业分析师
“Europe’s operators want to avoid becoming effectively MVNOs for satellite coverage, selling somebody else’s service on somebody else’s terms. Securing MSS spectrum would give them a stronger hand in negotiations.”Luke Kehoe, lead industry analyst, Ookla