--- title: "US Threatens Brussels with Consequences over Plan to Restrict Starlink for 'European Frequencies'" description: "US Ambassador to the EU Andrew Puzder warned that reserving radio frequencies for European companies could hit American business and communication quality in Ukraine. Brussels calls the initiative a step toward technological independence." date: 2026-10-18T19:42:30.961Z lang: en url: https://xab.info/en/posts/us-threatens-brussels-over-starlink-frequency-restrictions tags: [eu-us-trade, spacex, starlink, spectrum, telecom, ukraine] author: "Darya Fomina" publisher: "XAB.info" --- # US Threatens Brussels with Consequences over Plan to Restrict Starlink for 'European Frequencies' ![Starlink satellite dish installed on a rooftop against the backdrop of an evening cityscape](https://xab.info/media/2026/10/18/ssha-predupregi-brusselyu-ob-obmezenii-starlink-v-evrope/ssha-predupregi-brusselyu-ob-obmezenii-starlink-v-evrope-1.webp) ## Key Points - US Ambassador to the EU Andrew Puzder warned of risks to American business due to the EU's plan to restrict access to the satellite communications market. - The European Commission proposed dedicating a portion of radio frequencies exclusively to European companies as part of its drive for technological independence. - SpaceX warned that the measure could degrade communication quality in Ukraine, where Starlink provides civil and military communication channels. - Puzder accused Brussels of protectionism and urged the US and EU to jointly compete with China in AI and quantum computing. - Zelenskyy stated that Europe is developing a Starlink equivalent and Ukraine is building its own satellite system. Washington has publicly warned Europe of risks to American business if Brussels restricts US companies' access to the European satellite communications market. According to the Financial Times, this was stated by US Ambassador to the EU Andrew Puzder, as cited by RBC-Ukraine. In his assessment, such measures could lead to 'serious losses' for European companies as they would reduce competition and limit choices for consumers and industry customers. ### What Exactly Brussels is Proposing The catalyst for the reaction was a recent European Commission initiative to allocate a portion of the radio frequency spectrum exclusively for European companies. According to Brussels, the goal is to facilitate the entry of new European suppliers to the market and expand their circle. At the same time, the Commission clarified that companies from non-EU states will still be able to operate on the European market, although access to the dedicated 'European' frequency segment will be restricted for them. The initiative fits into the EU's broader policy of strengthening technological independence and reducing dependence on American corporations. ### Washington Accuses Brussels of Protectionism US Ambassador to the EU Andrew Puzder criticized the European Commission's approach, calling it protectionism and an attempt to create advantages for European companies at the expense of US competitors. He also expressed dissatisfaction with the EU's general regulatory policy in the tech sector. According to him, Washington and Brussels should join forces to compete more effectively with China in areas such as artificial intelligence and quantum computing, rather than restricting each other. ### Risk to Communications in Ukraine Separately, SpaceX warned that frequency reservation could negatively impact communication quality in Ukraine, where the Starlink network provides critical communication channels for civilians and the military. This turns the radio frequency dispute from a purely commercial one into an issue affecting the operational resilience of a country at war, potentially impacting logistics and on-the-ground coordination. ### Context: Technological Sovereignty and Response to China The European Commission's initiative is not an isolated step, but part of the EU's long-term strategy to reduce technological dependence on the US and China and build its own 'digital sovereignty.' Against this backdrop, Washington's position, calling for joint competition with China in AI and quantum computing, looks like an attempt to prevent a fracture in the Western technological alliance. The divergence in interpreting the same measure — 'market expansion for new European players' from Brussels' perspective and 'protectionist restriction' from Washington's — reflects a deep disagreement on how to shape tech policy amid geopolitical competition. ### Starlink Alternatives Already Underway The situation is complemented by recent statements from Kyiv. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reported that Europe is already working on a Starlink equivalent and confirmed that Ukraine is also developing its own satellite system. These steps, if implemented, could in the medium term reduce Ukraine's dependence on American communications infrastructure while strengthening Brussels' argument for European alternatives. However, in the short term, Starlink remains the key communication channel, making the frequency dispute sensitive for Kyiv. ## Accounts differ ### Nature and consequences of the EU proposal on radio frequency allocation - **European Commission:** The initiative is designed to help new European suppliers enter the market and expand their circle; companies from non-EU states will still be able to operate in the European market. ([rbc.ua](https://www.rbc.ua/ukr/news/ssha-zlyakalisya-obmezhennya-starlink-evropi-1792351143.html)) - **US Ambassador to the EU Andrew Puzder:** The measure is protectionism that creates advantages for European companies at the expense of American competitors and could lead to serious losses for European business; the US and EU should jointly compete with China in AI and quantum computing. ([rbc.ua](https://www.rbc.ua/ukr/news/ssha-zlyakalisya-obmezhennya-starlink-evropi-1792351143.html)) - **SpaceX:** Frequency reservation could negatively impact communication quality in Ukraine, where Starlink provides important communication channels for civilians and the military. ([rbc.ua](https://www.rbc.ua/ukr/news/ssha-zlyakalisya-obmezhennya-starlink-evropi-1792351143.html)) *Where they agree:* The European Commission has indeed put forward a proposal to allocate a portion of radio frequencies for European companies. ## Fact-Check & Sources - [США испугались ограничения Starlink в Европе и пригрозили последствиями, - FT](https://www.rbc.ua/ukr/news/ssha-zlyakalisya-obmezhennya-starlink-evropi-1792351143.html) - Primary source of the basis. Conveys statements by US Ambassador to the EU Andrew Puzder (referencing the Financial Times), the European Commission's frequency allocation initiative, SpaceX's warning about risks to communications in Ukraine, and Zelenskyy's statements. The chain is single-link (FT → RBC-Ukraine), part of the content consists of assessments and forecasts by the parties. ## FAQ ### What exactly did the European Commission propose? To allocate a portion of the radio frequency spectrum exclusively for European companies to help new European suppliers enter the market. However, the Commission clarified that companies from outside the EU will still be able to operate in the European market. ### Why does the US object? US Ambassador to the EU Andrew Puzder called the initiative protectionism that would benefit European companies at the expense of American competitors, and warned of potential losses for European business. ### What could this mean for Ukraine? SpaceX warned that restricting frequency access could degrade communication quality in Ukraine, where Starlink provides vital communication channels for citizens and the military.