Mobile World Live brings you our top three picks of the week as the European Commission (EC) earmarked a large proportion of mobile satellite spectrum for homegrown players, Telenor unveiled a restructured operating model and SpaceX secured a $2.3 billion US military deal.

EC proposes local players get bulk of MSS spectrum

What happened: EC EVP Henna Virkkunen set out the regulator’s proposal to allocate the 2GHz mobile satellite services spectrum band across the European Union, with a large slice potentially being allocated to local players.

Why it matters: Under the plan, one third of the band would be reserved for government and critical communications with the rest allocated to commercial D2D and IoT services. Non-EU companies would only be able to apply for half of the allocation for commercial services and none of the public sector portion.

Virkkunen said the watchdog aims to “boost Europe’s competitiveness”, “strengthen Europe’s security” and embrace “new technological possibilities”, adding the plan reflects “the current changing geopolitical context”.

She rejected suggestions the move disproportionately targets US companies, stating the process is “very transparent and fair”. Yet, BNP Paribas Equity Research senior analyst Sam McHugh told Reuters the plan could leave US players including SpaceX in a “structurally inferior” position. He added it is “a small positive for European telecom operators” because it further reduces the odds of SpaceX competing head-to-head with them.

Telenor pursues top-line gains with restructure

What happened: Telenor unveiled a group-wide restructure, replacing its Nordics, Asia, Amp and Infrastructure business units with a model focused on individual countries.

Why it matters: The plan aims to move decision making closer to customers and local markets. The operator stated the shift aligns with its long-term goals of pursuing top-line growth, greater efficiency and operational improvement. Under the new set-up, the chiefs of Telenor’s Nordics businesses will join group management, removing the current regional layer.

Telenor described the restructure as “simplified and sharpened”, adding it would “substantially reduce administrative costs” and accelerate long-term growth by improving cash flow and capital return in the coming years.

SpaceX bags $2.3B US military comms deal

What happened: The US Space Force (USSF) awarded SpaceX a $2.3 billion contract to build the backbone for a Space Data Network (SDN), a satellite communications system designed to connect military platforms and sensors.

Why it matters: USSF stated the SDN backbone will use low Earth orbit satellites to provide global connectivity for armed forces, acting as “an integrated network” delivering “robust, resilient, high-capacity and low-latency data transport”.

USSF acting portfolio acquisition executive for space-based sensing and targeting Colonel Ryan Frazier said the system would use “the best of commercial innovation” and provide “a strong foundation for the SDN mission” by acting as “a core communications layer” for USSF systems, delivering continuous, secure connectivity.

The deal comes at a pivotal moment for Elon Musk’s satellite venture, which recently submitted a Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) filing detailing plans to launch a long-awaited IPO as early as next month.

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Sateliot gained more traction for an approach to enabling standard NB-IoT devices to use 5G and satellite networks as Telenor IoT became the latest player to team with the Spanish specialist.

Their arrangement relies on recent Sateliot advances in NB-IoT device handoff between 5G and satellite networks.

It explained compliance with relevant 3GPP Release-17 specifications means it can obviate the specialised equipment previously needed to deliver connectivity in areas beyond the reach of mobile networks.

Telenor IoT and Sateliot envisage benefits for agricultural; maritime; transport and logistics; energy and utilities; and environmental sectors.

Sateliot stated the companies are developing a system which does not require devices to run “proprietary hardware or custom integrations”, in turn delivering a bump in global IoT coverage.

The connectivity focus would remain largely on 5G, with satellite the back-up for when devices stray beyond the terrestrial mobile technology’s reach.

Sateliot detailed work with Turkcell to the same end earlier this month and is working on a hybrid set-up with Telefonica Spain.

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Telenor detailed a structural shift, prioritising access to its customers and territories with a set-up focused on individual countries rather than its previous regional approach as it seeks a solid base for long-term growth.

The operator stated changes are in the works as part of goals detailed during a capital markets day in November 2025, where it outlined ambitions around pursuing top-line growth, better efficiency and general improvement of its operations.

It expects the fresh approach to cut administrative outlay and spur EBITDA growth, free cashflow and return on capital.

Telenor described the fresh structure as “simplified and sharpened”.

The CEOs of its current Nordics businesses are to join group management and the division removed, a strategy Telenor expects to bring “customer, market and financial perspectives” closer to home in its overall decision making.

It lined up changes to its group management team, all of which are to come into effect on 18 August.

Jon Omund Revhaug is named chief technology and transformation officer and Inger Gloersen Folkeson chief corporate development officer.

Group CEO Benedicte Schilbred Fasmer; CFO Torbjorn Wist; Norway CEO Birgitte Engebretsen; Sweden CEO Jonas Eden; Denmark CEO Lars Thomsen; and DNA CEO Jussi Tolvanen are all to remain in their current roles.

Elisabeth Melander Stene is taking on the role of acting chief people and organisation officer; Thomas Midteide chief corporate affairs officer; and Siri Birgitte Bang Berge a CEO advisory position.

Telenor Asia is to remain a distinct unit alongside its country-oriented operations, with recruitment of a division head underway.

Since the capital markets day there have been various moves for its IoT unit culminating in a recent deal to tweak ownership.

Telenor is also looking to establish a sovereign cloud operation in Norway.

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