Vodafone and AST SpaceMobile Sign Agreement to Create European Direct-To-Device Satellite Service Provider
Vodafone Group and AST SpaceMobile have signed an agreement to create a jointly-owned European satellite service business to serve network operators Europe.
AST is building a space-based cellular broadband network accessible directly by any smartphone for both commercial and government application,
The new service will seek to provide 100 per cent geographic coverage in every part of Europe to give space-based cellular broadband connectivity.
The new venture will exclusively distribute AST SpaceMobile’s satellite services to European MNOs under a single turnkey arrangement underpinned by a full network management and network operations centre capability, based in Europe
A network of ground stations will connect network operators to the satellite network in low Earth orbit to provide 100% geographic coverage in every part of Europe to give consumers and businesses access to secure space-based cellular broadband connectivity.
AST SpaceMobile’s satellites already operate as remote radio heads where the core network capability remains with the MNO.
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’.”