Vodafone Group PLC and AST SpaceMobile Inc have announced the launch of a new European Union satellite constellation and the selection of Germany as the site for the joint venture’s Satellite Operations Centre. The venture, named SatCo and headquartered in Luxembourg, will deploy a constellation that delivers direct smartphone connectivity via S‑Band and satellite‑to‑earth links using Q/V‑Band. The operations centre, to be located near either Munich or Hannover, will house a command‑switch that manages encryption keys for both bands, ensuring secure and resilient satellite operations across Europe.
The constellation will operate on public protection and disaster relief (PPDR) frequency bands—698‑703/753‑758 MHz and 733‑736/788‑791 MHz—and is a candidate for the EU 2 GHz Mobile Satellite Services spectrum. By leveraging these bands, SatCo can provide broadband‑speed connectivity directly to everyday smartphones in rural and underserved areas, a capability that is currently limited by terrestrial infrastructure gaps.
Strategically, the partnership positions Vodafone to close the digital divide in Europe and create a new revenue stream that complements its terrestrial network. The joint venture aligns with EU priorities for digital sovereignty and resilient communication infrastructure, giving Vodafone a first‑mover advantage in a market that is increasingly contested by players such as Starlink and Amazon’s Project Kuiper. The ability to switch automatically between space‑based and land‑based coverage also enhances service reliability for public protection and disaster relief operations.
While the announcement does not yet include financial projections, the long‑term impact is expected to be significant. The satellite network will enable Vodafone to offer new services to mobile network operators across Europe, potentially generating subscription and data‑usage revenue that is less sensitive to terrestrial network congestion. The venture also signals Vodafone’s commitment to investing in non‑terrestrial networks, a strategy that has already seen the company partner with Iridium for its NTN Direct service.
Vodafone CEO Margherita Della Valle said the partnership “reinforces our commitment to digital inclusion and resilience, ensuring that every European citizen can access reliable connectivity, even in the most remote regions.” The announcement underscores Vodafone’s broader strategy to integrate satellite capabilities into its core network, positioning the company as a pioneer in satellite‑based mobile broadband.
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