Friction over frequencies: the USA threaten the EU with "devastating" retaliatory measures

Conflict over Frequencies: The USA Threaten the EU with "Devastating" Retaliatory Measures Summary - The USA threaten the EU with harsh countermeasures if Brussels restricts access to American satellite providers to the 2-gigahertz frequency band. - The background is a Commission proposal that seeks to reserve parts of the frequency spectrum important for smartphone satellite communication for state purposes and European providers. - The dispute touches upon fundamental differences regarding Europe's digital regulation, technological sovereignty, and the role of Starlink in the Ukraine war. A new transatlantic conflict over the digital future of Europe is unfolding. The USA have threatened the European Union with harsh countermeasures should Brussels implement its plans to restrict market access for American satellite providers. The US Ambassador to the EU, Andrew Puzder, warned in an interview with the Financial Times that European companies would have to expect "devastating" consequences on the US market in this case. SpaceX and Amazon are Affected The trigger for the dispute is a proposal by the European Commission for the future use of the so-called 2-gigahertz frequency band. This spectrum is considered key technology for the direct communication of smartphones with satellites. According to the Commission's plans, one-third of the capacity should be reserved for state and security-relevant applications, another third should be available exclusively to European providers. Only the remaining third would also be accessible to operators from third countries. US corporations such as SpaceX with its Starlink satellite service, as well as potentially Amazon, would be particularly affected by the new regulation. The European Union is thus pursuing the goal of reducing dependence on non-European technology corporations and strengthening its own providers. Puzder sharply criticized this approach. Europe has the right to protect sensitive data and critical infrastructure. However, this should not be used to specifically disadvantage American companies against European competitors. "You do not make European companies more competitive by making US companies less competitive," the ambassador said according to the newspaper. The conflict extends far beyond frequency allocation. Puzder also addressed other European regulatory projects in his remarks, including the Digital Markets Act as well as planned regulations for cloud services and artificial intelligence. Washington increasingly sees these as obstacles for American technology corporations, while Brussels justifies the measures with fair competition conditions and the goal of greater technological sovereignty. The debate falls into a phase of increasing tensions over the use of Starlink in Ukraine. SpaceX had already warned that restrictions on Starlink could negatively affect connectivity in Ukraine. Ukrainian authorities have recently accused SpaceX of shortening military connections. The satellite system has played an important role for civil and military communication since the beginning of the Russian invasion. Comments