Michał Kobosko, the European Parliament’s lead negotiator on the Digital Networks Act, is seeking stronger sovereignty and resilience criteria for pan-European mobile spectrum licenses. The Financial Times reported his position on October 21, 2026, citing an interview and a draft report it had reviewed. Kobosko associated the proposed safeguards with concerns about SpaceX’s expansion into mobile connectivity.
The reported changes are a negotiating proposal. Parliament’s Legislative Observatory identifies Kobosko as the responsible rapporteur and lists the legislation as awaiting a committee decision. The interview report establishes his position, but a public version of the draft was not available in the material reviewed.
What the Proposed Act Would Change
The European Commission presented the Digital Networks Act proposal on January 21, 2026. It seeks to replace the European Electronic Communications Code and consolidate parts of the EU’s communications framework into a directly applicable regulation. Its stated objectives include reducing differences between national markets and supporting communications providers that operate across borders.
For satellite services, the Commission proposes authorization at EU level. Its policy outline also describes a common selection mechanism incorporating security and resilience criteria. Kobosko’s intervention concerns the strength and application of safeguards within that developing framework.
Spectrum licenses govern the use of radio frequencies. A satellite operator needs access to suitable frequencies to communicate with devices and ground infrastructure, making licensing conditions a practical requirement for providing service. New Space Economy’s explanation of satellite constellation regulation describes the related international coordination needed to manage interference between systems.
The two functions address different questions. Technical coordination manages how radio systems share frequencies. Eligibility rules determine which applicants qualify for authorization and under what conditions. A system may be technically capable of connecting to a handset and still need permission to offer that connection in a particular market.
Satellite Access to Mobile Devices
Direct-to-device satellite service makes the issue relevant to mobile communications because the satellite connection reaches compatible handsets rather than requiring a separate broadband terminal. The proposed European rules concern how providers obtain access to the spectrum used for such services and how authorities evaluate security and dependence on external suppliers.
The Commission’s published framework combines broader market access with common authorization and preparedness measures. A single-passport approach would let providers notify one member state when operating across the Union. The proposal also calls for an EU preparedness plan addressing threats to networks and radio signals, including foreign interference.
Parliament and member states must settle their respective positions before agreeing on the final legislation. Kobosko’s proposed conditions would become binding only through that legislative process. The immediate development is a reported effort to strengthen licensing safeguards within a proposal that already includes EU-level satellite authorization.
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