Commission proposes new authorisation for mobile satellite services for EU’s resilience and competitiveness
The European Commission adopted a proposal for the selection of mobile satellite services (MSS) providers who will be authorised to use the harmonised 2 GHz frequency band beyond 2027, when the current licenses expire.
Spectrum for mobile satellite services is a strategic asset for enabling innovative commercial use, and for security and defence. The 2 GHz MSS band is ideal for Direct-to-Device (D2D) services, providing critical communication capabilities and ensuring access to high-speed internet in areas without terrestrial coverage.
The Commission proposes to establish an EU-level selection procedure for the assignment of this spectrum. Granting an EU level authorisation for the use of the 2 GHz frequency band for mobile satellite services in all EU Member States will ensure regulatory consistency across the EU and allow operators to develop and provide services across borders.
The spectrum would be divided accordingly:
One third of the 2 GHz MSS band would be dedicated to governmental use, such as for critical communications, security and military to be provided by an EU operator. The operator will ensure integration with the current and future capabilities of the infrastructure of the Union Secure Connectivity programme IRIS².
Two thirds of the 2 GHz MSS band would be dedicated to dedicated to commercial use, such as D2D services to mobile devices, ensuring mobile coverage where terrestrial networks are unavailable. It can also be used for Internet of Things, such as personal fitness trackers, energy monitoring, and emergency respond devices. The spectrum in this band would be divided equally for:
the use of the band by EU operators entering the market, to encourage the diversification of suppliers and incentivise the entry into the market of EU suppliers;
the use of the band by EU and non-EU operators.
The timely availability of secure, resilient, performant and innovative satellite services will strengthen the EU’s competitiveness and critical communications capabilities. Satellite connectivity is a key piece of our technological sovereignty, our security, and our defence.
Background
The proposed Regulation for the selection procedure and authorisation of the 2 GHz MSS frequency band replaces the 2008 Decision, under which the current operators were selected. Their authorisations expire in May 2027.
The new 2 GHz MSS Regulation is consistent with the proposal for a Digital Networks Act (DNA), according to which all satellite spectrum is to be authorised at EU level under one set of conditions to allow for consistency across borders.
The Commission’s proposal takes into account the Opinions of the Radio Spectrum Policy Group, namely the MSS Opinion, adopted in 2024, and the ‘Direct-to- Device’ Opinion, adopted in 2025. The proposal also takes into consideration the feedback received to the Commission’s 2025 targeted consultation on the future use of the 2 GHz MSS band.
IRIS² (Infrastructure for Resilience, Interconnectivity and Security by Satellite) is the European Union’s Secure Connectivity programme. It is set to provide secure communication services to the EU and its Member States as well as broadband connectivity for European citizens, private companies, governmental authorities and defence users.
For more information
Proposal
Quote(s)
More than ever high-capacity, widely available satellite connectivity is essential to strengthen the resilience of the EU’s communication networks. Our proposal will allow provision of satellite and terrestrial connectivity directly to our mobile devices, ensuring that all areas in the EU, and namely those where terrestrial networks are unavailable, are equipped with voice and broadband internet connectivity. Satellite connectivity is also crucial for our governmental services and Europe’s critical communications. Today we take a major step forward.
Henna Virkkunen, Executive Vice-President for Tech Sovereignty, Security and Democracy
Defending values, driving reform, delivering impact: new measures to strengthen EU humanitarian action
The Joint Communication on Humanitarian Aid adopted today sets out how the EU will remain a reliable and principled donor in a global aid system under severe pressure.
Humanitarian needs are at an all-time high with 239 million people worldwide in need of assistance, yet current global humanitarian funding can assist fewer than half of the people in need, leaving millions without life-saving support. The number of crises and their duration grow, while funding cuts and insecurity are making life-saving aid increasingly difficult to deliver.
The European Commission and the High Representative are responding with concrete solutions to ensure principled humanitarian aid reaches people in need across the globe. This builds on three pillars: protect, perform and partner.
President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, said: ‘As the leading humanitarian donor worldwide, the European Union continues to defend the dignity of those in need, as well as those who risk their lives to help them. With this package, we are ensuring life-saving aid is delivered more efficiently, even in the toughest environments. At the same time, we are building resilience to reduce dependency on aid.’
Protect
The EU will take concrete actions for humanitarian assistance to be delivered safely and without impediments. This means stepping up humanitarian diplomacy in a collaborative Team Europe effort. All available tools, including political and human rights dialogues, advocacy at international level, and coordination in multilateral forum as well as peace mediation and stabilisation will be used to this end.
The EU will also step up measures and funding for the safety of humanitarian workers – from prevention of security incidents to care for victims. Voices of affected people matter – the EU will facilitate a greater role for local actors in the humanitarian response, empower communities, and ensure that our response is inclusive of all, in particular the most vulnerable.
Perform
Through reforming humanitarian supply chains, the EU will maximise cost-effectiveness from procurement to last mile delivery. The EU will also scale-up funding modalities that promote efficiency and predictability of aid and the dignity of beneficiaries, including cash assistance, anticipatory action, multi-year funding, pooled funds and support for local actors. Collective services that enable humanitarian aid delivery, including good quality and shared data on people’s needs, will also be further supported.
Partner
The EU will support resilience and peace, as well as provide durable solutions to reduce dependence on humanitarian aid. The EU will be working more closely with international financial institutions, the private sector or philanthropies on innovative ways to provide financing to fragile areas, and people that need it the most, helping them transition from fragility to resilience. Humanitarian Team Europe can deliver more together, and options for pooling resources in a more impactful way will also be explored.
Background
The international humanitarian system has been shaken to its core with the outbreak of armed conflict, the disastrous humanitarian situation in Gaza, Ukraine or Sudan, and severe funding cuts are affecting all aspects of humanitarian work.
The number of people forcibly displaced or seeking asylum has doubled over the past decade, reaching 117.3 million in 2025. Around 20% of all children worldwide – approximately half a billion – are living in, or fleeing, conflict zones. Sexual and gender-based violence, including conflict-related sexual violence, has continued to increase, prominently targeting women and girls. Global food insecurity and malnutrition are becoming more widespread, with the number of people experiencing acute hunger reaching catastrophic levels.
The European Union and its Member States are providing the largest share of global humanitarian funding (35% in 2025). The European Commission alone has allocated almost pound 2 billion for humanitarian aid this year. The EU will continue to prove needs-based, inclusive and non-discriminatory assistance to save lives and preserve human dignity.
These efforts receive strong and consistent popular support from EU citizen. In 2024, 91% of respondents to the Commission’s Eurobarometer survey considered it important that the EU funds humanitarian aid.
For more information
Questions and answers
EU Humanitarian Aid
Joint Communication on Humanitarian Aid
Joint Staff Working document: a strategic approach to EU’s Humanitarian Diplomacy
Commission Staff Working document: Humanitarian Supply Chains
Joint Staff Working document: Integrated Approach to Fragility
Quote(s)
As the leading humanitarian donor worldwide, the European Union continues to defend the dignity of those in need, as well as those who risk their lives to help them. With this package, we are ensuring life-saving aid is delivered more efficiently, even in the toughest environments. At the same time, we are building resilience to reduce dependency on aid.
Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission
In a global humanitarian system facing cuts and shortfalls, the EU and its Member States remain the world’s largest and most reliable donors. With our new approach to humanitarian diplomacy, we will make better use of every tool at our disposal to safeguard aid delivery, secure humanitarian access, protect civilians, and ensure respect for international humanitarian law. It will also help ensure that humanitarian issues are front and centre in our external action.
Kaja Kallas, High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy/Vice-President of the European Commission
Humanitarian needs are rising worldwide. They have increased eightfold in just 20 years. But this is not only about numbers. Humanitarian workers are being attacked, civilians are being used as a weapon of war, and the principles that should guide humanitarian action are being undermined. The European Union is clear about what we stand for. We are a leading, principled donor. We will defend humanitarian space and respond to needs wherever they arise. As firm supporters of multilateralism, we will also make a concrete contribution to a humanitarian system that delivers better, with greater efficiency, effectiveness and resilience.
Hadja Lahbib, Commissioner for Equality, Preparedness and Crisis Management
Commission disburses pound 18.9 million to Malta under NextGenerationEU
Today, the European Commission disbursed pound 18.9 million to Malta, marking the fourth payment under the Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF). The Facility is the centrepiece of NextGenerationEU – the Commission’s post-pandemic programme to support Member States’ recovery, economic growth, and competitiveness.
Following its assessment of the payment request, the Commission found that Malta has satisfactorily completed the milestones and targets set out in the Council Implementing Decision.
Measures linked to this payment include reforms and investments in decarbonising energy and transport, boosting the efficiency of judicial administration, and improving education and healthcare services.
Today’s disbursement follows Malta’s fourth payment request, submitted on 19 December 2025 and partially greenlighted by the Commission on 20 March 2026.
Following the Council’s approval to proceed with this disbursement, the Commission adopted a payment decision and released the funds today.
Malta still needs to implement one outstanding milestone as part of this payment request, which relates to the tax reform aimed at curbing aggressive tax planning practices (Milestone 6.36). The Commission will consider the disbursement of the rest of the funds once Malta has addressed this non-fulfilled milestone.
As with all Member States, payments to Malta under the RRF are performance-based, contingent upon the successful implementation of their national plans.
With a view to the closure of the Facility at the end of 2026, Members States must implement all outstanding milestones and targets by August 2026 and submit their last payment requests by the end of September 2026.
An interactive map showcasing examples of reforms and investments supported by the RRF is available online. Further details on the RRF payment claim process are also available online.
(For more information: Maciej Berestecki – Tel.: +32 2 296 64 83; Anna Wartberger – Tel.: +32 2 298 20 54)
Commissioner Hansen leads business delegation to Thailand to strengthen agri-food trade
Commissioner for Agriculture and Food, Christophe Hansen, will lead a high-level EU agri-food business delegation to Thailand, tomorrow and on Friday. The visit, which 90+ European agri-food organisations and companies will participate in, will aim to strengthen EU-Thailand agri-food relations and support new opportunities for European agri-food exports in this dynamic market, while making progress on negotiations for a future EU-Thailand Free Trade Agreement (FTA).
A key highlight of the visit will be Commissioner Hansen’s participation in THAIFEX – Anuga Asia 2026, Asia-Pacific’s largest food and beverage trade fair, where the EU holds the prestigious ‘Region of Honour’ status. At the event, the Commissioner will hand over the EU Geographical Indication (GI) certificate for Maphrao Namhom Ratchaburi. This will be Thailand’s fifth product to receive EU GI protection, joining renowned Thai specialities like Khao Hom Mali rice and Kafae Doi Tung coffee. The ceremony will celebrate this milestone in EU-Thailand agricultural cooperation, featuring a symbolic cocktail blending the aromatic coconut with another EU-protected GI: Irish whiskey.
The visit will also include political engagements with Thai ministers, including the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation of Thailand Yotchanan Wongsawat, the Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives Piyarat Tiyapairat, the Thai Trade Representative for Europe Werapong Prapha the Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs Sarun Charoensuwan, and the Vice-Minister for Commerce Kirida Bhaopichitr to discuss market access, sanitary and phytosanitary standards, and the FTA negotiations, which resumed in 2023.