The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chair, Brendan Carr, has urged European regulators to make a choice between US and Chinese satellite technology, citing concerns over Elon Musk's Starlink and China's rising satellite constellation. In an interview with the Financial Times, Carr warned that European allies who have reservations about working with Starlink will have more to worry about if they side with Chinese satellite internet services.

Carr's comments come amid escalating tensions between European governments and the US over satellite technology. Some European governments and companies have suspended Starlink purchase negotiations and started exploring other options after Musk said on X that Ukraine's "entire front line" would collapse if he switched off access for the country. Carr believes that politics is influencing long-term decisions in Europe, which he considers "unfortunate." Instead, he thinks "allied Western democracies" should focus on "the real long-term bogey: the rise of the Chinese Communist party."

Starlink, owned by Musk's SpaceX company, is the largest global satellite constellation operator, providing internet and limited mobile connectivity via a network of 7,135 satellites. However, European alternatives, such as France's Eutelsat, are still in their infancy, operating around a tenth as many satellites and charging around ten times more for their terminals. China's Low Earth orbit (LEO) mega constellation operator, Spacesail, on the other hand, is making rapid progress, planning to launch 15,000 satellites by 2030, which could challenge Starlink's dominance.

Carr expressed concerns that Europe is "caught" between Washington and Beijing, and that a "great divide" in AI and satellite technology is opening between "CCP-aligned countries and others." He also accused European regulators of having a "bias" against US tech companies, citing ongoing investigations into Meta, Apple, Google, and X. Furthermore, Carr accused the European Commission of "protectionism" and having an "anti-American" attitude.

The FCC Chair's comments highlight the growing competition between the US and China in the satellite technology sector. As the global satellite market continues to expand, the choice between US and Chinese satellite tech will have significant implications for European governments and companies. With China's rapid progress in satellite technology, Europe may be forced to make a difficult decision that could have long-term consequences for its relationships with both the US and China.

In conclusion, Carr's warning to European regulators serves as a reminder of the high stakes in the global satellite technology market. As the US and China continue to vie for dominance, Europe must navigate this complex landscape and make a choice that aligns with its strategic interests. The outcome of this decision will have far-reaching implications for the future of satellite technology and global politics.