Vodafone Group Plc (Vadafone) and AST SpaceMobile Inc., a US-based company building the first and only space-based cellular broadband network accessible directly by everyday smartphones, have formalized a strategic partnership to establish a jointly-owned entity (“SatCo”) to serve mobile network operators (MNOs) in all European markets.
This initiative will leverage AST SpaceMobile’s pioneering space-based cellular broadband network, which is engineered to provide direct connectivity to commercial and government-end users via standard smartphones.
SatCo will serve as the exclusive distributor of AST SpaceMobile’s satellite solutions to European MNOs, streamlining satellite service access across the region. This collaboration represents a significant advancement in expanding mobile connectivity, particularly in underserved and remote areas of Europe.
This new venture will be underpinned by a full network management and network operations centre capability, based in Europe, drawing on Vodafone’s advanced engineering expertise. SatCo will build and run a network of ground stations to provide backhaul services from these MNOs across Europe to the satellite network in low Earth orbit.
Margherita Della Valle, Vodafone Group CEO said: “Vodafone’s space-based mobile broadband will mean our customers can stay connected, wherever they are. Our new satellite company will be able to offer this pioneering technology to other European mobile operators through a turnkey service that combines Vodafone’s leading network and engineering with AST SpaceMobile’s ‘antennas in the sky’.”
On 19 February 2025, Vodafone, AST SpaceMobile, and the University of Málaga also launched a new space and land mobile broadband research and validation hub, supported by the Spanish Space Agency.
Also Read: Vodafone Idea to Launch Competitive 5G Services in March 2025Set to open by Summer 2025 at Vodafone’s existing Innovation Centre in Malaga, the hub will develop integrated low Earth orbit space-based and land mobile broadband services.
“Together with Vodafone, we are poised to accelerate our commercialization plans across all of Europe, making true mobile broadband from space a reality,” said Abel Avellan, Founder, Chairman and CEO of AST SpaceMobile.
On January 27, 2025, Vodafone successfully made the world’s first space-based mobile video call from an area without any mobile coverage on the recently launched BlueBirds satellites, supporting the company’s aim to provide ubiquitous mobile coverage for its 340 million customers in 15 countries and its network partners in 45 more markets.
