Vodafone and AST SpaceMobile to build Europe’s first direct satellite-to-smartphone network

Vodafone and AST SpaceMobile are collaborating to create a satellite constellation that will deliver mobile broadband directly to smartphones across Europe.

The project aims to close connectivity gaps for both commercial and governmental users, offering uninterrupted communication in remote regions.

The European operations centre will be located in Germany, with potential sites near Munich or Hannover.

This initiative represents a decisive step toward strengthening Europe’s independent satellite communication capabilities, at a time when secure, high-speed data links are becoming vital to economic and strategic resilience.

Strengthening Europe’s digital sovereignty

The constellation will be managed by a joint venture between Vodafone (VOD.L) and AST SpaceMobile (ASTS.O).

The German centre will coordinate satellite services for mobile network operators and public agencies, ensuring continuous connectivity for commercial broadband, public safety, and emergency response operations.

The move reflects a broader European shift toward technological autonomy.

As broadband demand rises in underserved regions, Europe has increasingly sought to reduce its reliance on non-European satellite systems.

By combining Vodafone’s continental network infrastructure with AST’s satellite innovation, the partnership could establish Europe as a competitive force in space-based communications.

AST, which already has six satellites in orbit, plans to deploy as many as 60 by 2026.

Its technology is designed to enable direct-to-device communication, allowing standard smartphones to connect to satellites without additional hardware.

This approach could transform communication access in isolated or disaster-affected areas, where terrestrial infrastructure is limited or non-existent.

Growing demand from EU operators

Vodafone has confirmed that operators across 21 European Union member states have expressed interest in adopting the service.

The system functions by transmitting voice and data signals from orbit directly to mobile devices on the ground, eliminating dependence on traditional cell towers.

Commercial deployment is expected to begin in 2026. Vodafone described the initiative as a “sovereign satellite solution” that will provide secure, resilient communication channels, complementing terrestrial networks rather than replacing them.

The service is expected to support a range of use cases, from consumer mobile broadband to public safety communications during crises.

Competing for the satellite broadband frontier

The Vodafone–AST collaboration will enter a field already defined by intense competition.

AST’s direct-to-device system places it in direct rivalry with Elon Musk’s Starlink, which has rapidly expanded its low-Earth orbit broadband network.

However, AST’s focus on seamless integration with existing mobile infrastructure could give it an advantage in working with telecom operators.

Vodafone’s position as both a strategic investor and operational partner strengthens the joint venture’s long-term stability.

The project will allow Europe to advance its digital infrastructure through a balanced integration of terrestrial and orbital systems, ensuring communications resilience under both commercial and emergency conditions.

Germany’s selection as the operational hub is significant.

Beyond its industrial capacity, the country offers proximity to Europe’s leading aerospace clusters, making it an ideal base for managing the constellation and coordinating with EU member states.

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