European partners expressing concerns about collaborating with Elon Musk’s Starlink might face even greater challenges if they opt for Chinese satellite internet services, Brendan Carr, chair of the Federal Communications Commission, remarked to the Financial Times. Carr emphasized that while political considerations influencing long-term European decisions are “unfortunate,” “allied Western democracies” should focus on “the real long-term threat: the rise of the Chinese Communist party.”
“If you’re uneasy about Starlink, wait until you see the CCP’s version, then you’ll be truly worried,” Carr shared with The Times. He added, “If Europe develops its own satellite constellation, that’s great, the more, the better. Generally, though, Europe seems stuck between the US and China. It’s time to make a choice.”
Starlink, a venture of Musk’s SpaceX, stands as the world’s largest satellite constellation operator, delivering internet and limited mobile connectivity via its network of 7,135 satellites. Concerns arose in recent weeks among European governments and companies, some of which halted Starlink procurement talks, seeking alternatives after Musk alleged on X that Ukraine’s “entire front line” would collapse should he cut off their access.
Carr expressed to The Times his belief that Europe finds itself “caught” in the middle of Washington and Beijing, voicing concerns over a growing divide in AI and satellite technology between “CCP-aligned countries and others.”
These remarks occur amidst worsening relations between European governments and the US, a trend apparent since Donald Trump’s presidency began and his alliances with affluent US tech executives solidified. Carr accused European regulators, who are investigating companies like Meta, Apple, Google, and X, of harboring a predisposition against US tech firms. He also criticized the European Commission for “protectionism” and an “anti-American” stance, as reported by The Times.
