Vodafone and AST SpaceMobile Sign Agreement to Create European Direct-To-Device Satellite Service Provider

Rhea-AI Summary

Vodafone and AST SpaceMobile (NASDAQ: ASTS) have signed an agreement to establish a joint European satellite service business ('SatCo') to provide space-based cellular broadband connectivity. The venture aims to deliver 100% geographic coverage across Europe, offering direct-to-smartphone satellite services to mobile network operators (MNOs).

On January 27, 2025, Vodafone completed the world's first space-based mobile video call using BlueBirds satellites. The service will be commercially available across Europe during 2025 and 2026, working seamlessly with 4G or 5G smartphones without requiring specialized software or device modifications.

The partnership includes establishing a research hub in Malaga by Summer 2025, supported by the Spanish Space Agency. AST SpaceMobile is expanding its European presence with a new 5,600-square-meter facility in Barcelona for manufacturing and office space.

Positive

• Creation of exclusive European distribution network through joint venture
• First successful space-based mobile video call achieved
• No specialized hardware/software needed for end users
• Expansion of manufacturing capacity with new 5,600sqm facility
• Access to Vodafone's existing 340M customer base across 15 countries

Negative

• Commercial service launch delayed until 2025-2026
• Significant infrastructure investment required for ground stations
• to European market coverage initially

Insights

Satellite Communications Expert

This joint venture between AST SpaceMobile and Vodafone represents a landmark commercialization milestone for space-based cellular connectivity in Europe. The creation of "SatCo" establishes an exclusive distribution channel for AST's direct-to-device satellite service across the entire European market - a critical step in monetizing their satellite constellation.

The technical achievement here shouldn't be understated: AST SpaceMobile remains the only provider whose satellites can connect directly to standard smartphones without specialized hardware or software modifications. This technological differentiator creates a significant barrier to entry for competitors trying to address the same market.

Particularly notable is how this partnership addresses the challenging "ground segment" component of satellite operations. By leveraging Vodafone's engineering expertise to build and manage the European ground station network, AST gains important infrastructure while maintaining their focus on satellite deployment. The emphasis on European digital sovereignty - keeping core network capabilities with mobile operators while providing European-based backhaul - also positions this service advantageously for regulatory approval.

The successful video call demonstration in January provides essential technical validation for the service's commercial viability. Meanwhile, AST's manufacturing expansion in Spain with 5,600 square meters of new production capacity signals serious preparation for scaled operations supporting European service rollout in 2025-2026.

Telecommunications Business Analyst

This partnership structure brilliantly solves multiple strategic challenges for both companies. For AST SpaceMobile, it provides immediate legitimacy in the European telecommunications market through association with Vodafone's established brand and customer base spanning 340 million customers across 15 countries, plus network partners in 45 more markets.

The joint venture creates a "one-stop shop" for European mobile operators to access satellite connectivity, eliminating the need for AST to negotiate individual agreements with dozens of carriers. This dramatically accelerates market penetration while creating a unified technical standard for integration. Positioning the service as complementary rather than competitive to terrestrial networks was strategically astute.

For Vodafone, this represents a valuable differentiator in the competitive European telecom landscape. By offering truly ubiquitous coverage through satellite integration, Vodafone can address rural connectivity challenges that have historically been cost-prohibitive.

The joint research hub with the University of Málaga and support from the Spanish Space Agency provides additional resources for service optimization while demonstrating government support. AST's manufacturing expansion in Barcelona further cements their European commitment while creating infrastructure redundancy beyond their Texas facilities. While financial terms remain undisclosed, this agreement represents AST SpaceMobile's most significant commercial partnership to date, providing a blueprint for similar regional distribution structures in other global markets.

NEWBURY, England & MIDLAND, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Vodafone Group Plc (Vodafone) (LSE: VOD), a leading European and African telecommunications company, and AST SpaceMobile Inc. (“AST SpaceMobile”) (NASDAQ: ASTS), the company building the first and only space-based cellular broadband network accessible directly by everyday smartphones, designed for both commercial and government application, have signed an agreement to create a jointly-owned European satellite service business (“SatCo”) to serve mobile network operators (MNOs) in all European markets.

SatCo will seek to provide 100% geographic coverage in every part of Europe to give consumers and businesses access to secure space-based cellular broadband connectivity via their MNO.

The new venture will exclusively distribute AST SpaceMobile’s satellite services to European MNOs under a single turnkey arrangement. This 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.

SatCo’s solution will fully support European digital sovereignty. AST SpaceMobile’s satellites already operate as remote radio heads where the core network capability remains with the MNO. SatCo builds on this by providing fully sovereign backhaul capabilities under Vodafone co-ownership, with European headquarters and management.

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’.”

“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.

Vodafone is spearheading the introduction of commercial space-based mobile broadband connectivity across Europe during 2025 and 2026.

Operating from low Earth orbit, AST SpaceMobile is the only satellite technology in the world today that will offer mobile broadband directly to multiple 4G or 5G smartphones without the need of any specialized software or device support or updates, working seamlessly as an extension of Vodafone’s leading land-based networks.

Satellite is a complementary, bolt-on technology providing valuable coverage where no feasible mobile or fixed alternative exists at present. Together, the satellite service and terrestrial network will give Europe a communications infrastructure for use at any location, including mountains, or out at sea, at any time, as well as boosting overall resilience.

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.

Set 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.

In support of its European expansion, AST SpaceMobile is also enhancing its presence in Spain with the recent opening of 5,600 square meters of manufacturing and office space in Barcelona.

These strategic initiatives will enhance AST SpaceMobile’s capabilities to serve the European market by increasing production capacity and accelerating the rigorous testing of its satellite and telecommunications systems.

About Vodafone Group

Vodafone is a leading European and African telecoms company. We provide mobile and fixed services to over 340 million customers in 15 countries, partner with mobile networks in over 45 more and have one of the world’s largest IoT platforms. In Africa, our financial technology businesses serve almost 83 million customers across seven countries – managing more transactions than any other provider.

Our purpose is to connect for a better future by using technology to improve lives, businesses and help progress inclusive sustainable societies. We are committed to reducing our environmental impact to reach net zero emissions by 2040.

For more information, please visit www.vodafone.com follow us on X at @VodafoneGroup or connect with us on LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/company/vodafone.

Registered Office: Vodafone House, The Connection, Newbury, Berkshire RG14 2FN, England. Registered in England No. 1833679

About AST SpaceMobile

AST SpaceMobile is building the first and only global cellular broadband network in space to operate directly with standard, unmodified mobile devices based on our extensive IP and patent portfolio and designed for both commercial and government applications. Our engineers and space scientists are on a mission to eliminate the connectivity gaps faced by today’s five billion mobile subscribers and finally bring broadband to the billions who remain unconnected.

For more information, follow AST SpaceMobile on YouTube, X (Formerly Twitter), LinkedIn and Facebook. Watch this video for an overview of the SpaceMobile mission.

AST SpaceMobile Forward-Looking Statements

This communication contains “forward-looking statements” that are not historical facts, and involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results of AST SpaceMobile to differ materially from those expected and projected. These forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology, including the words “believes,” “estimates,” “anticipates,” “expects,” “intends,” “plans,” “may,” “will,” “would,” “potential,” “projects,” “predicts,” “continue,” or “should,” or, in each case, their negative or other variations or comparable terminology.

These forward-looking statements involve significant risks and uncertainties that could cause the actual results to differ materially from the expected results. Most of these factors are outside AST SpaceMobile’s control and are difficult to predict.

Factors that could cause such differences include, but are not limited to: (i) expectations regarding AST SpaceMobile’s strategies and future financial performance, including AST’s future business plans or objectives, expected functionality of the SpaceMobile Service, anticipated timing of the launch of the Block 2 Bluebird satellites, anticipated demand and acceptance of mobile satellite services, prospective performance and commercial opportunities and competitors, the timing of obtaining regulatory approvals, ability to finance its research and development activities, commercial partnership acquisition and retention, products and services, pricing, marketing plans, operating expenses, market trends, revenues, liquidity, cash flows and uses of cash, capital expenditures, and AST SpaceMobile’s ability to invest in growth initiatives; (ii) the negotiation of definitive agreements with mobile network operators relating to the SpaceMobile Service that would supersede preliminary agreements and memoranda of understanding and the ability to enter into commercial agreements with other parties or government entities; (iii) the ability of AST SpaceMobile to grow and manage growth profitably and retain its key employees and AST SpaceMobile’s responses to actions of its competitors and its ability to effectively compete; (iv) changes in applicable laws or regulations; (v) the possibility that AST SpaceMobile may be adversely affected by other economic, business, and/or competitive factors; (vi) the outcome of any legal proceedings that may be instituted against AST SpaceMobile; and (vii) other risks and uncertainties indicated in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), including those in the Risk Factors section of AST SpaceMobile’s Form 10-K filed with the SEC on April 1, 2024.

AST SpaceMobile cautions that the foregoing list of factors is not exclusive. AST SpaceMobile cautions readers not to place undue reliance upon any forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made. For information identifying important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking statements, please refer to the Risk Factors in AST SpaceMobile’s Form 10-K filed with the SEC on April 1, 2024. AST SpaceMobile’s securities filings can be accessed on the EDGAR section of the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. Except as expressly required by applicable securities law, AST SpaceMobile disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250302001120/en/

Vodafone:

Investor relations:

investors.vodafone.com

ir@vodafone.co.uk

Media relations:

Vodafone.com/media/contact

GroupMedia@vodafone.com

AST SpaceMobile

Investor Contact:

Scott Wisniewski

investors@ast-science.com

Media Contacts:

Allison

Eva Murphy Ryan

917-547-7289

AstSpaceMobile@allisonpr.com

Source: AST SpaceMobile Inc.

FAQ

When will Vodafone and ASTS launch their European satellite service commercially?

The space-based mobile broadband service will be launched commercially across Europe during 2025 and 2026.

What makes ASTS satellite technology unique for mobile users?

It's the only technology offering direct mobile broadband to 4G/5G smartphones without requiring specialized software, device support, or updates.

What geographic coverage will the ASTS-Vodafone SatCo venture provide in Europe?

The joint venture aims to provide 100% geographic coverage across all European markets.

Where is AST SpaceMobile expanding its European operations?

AST SpaceMobile is opening a 5,600-square-meter manufacturing and office facility in Barcelona, Spain.

What milestone did Vodafone achieve with ASTS BlueBirds satellites in January 2025?

Vodafone completed the world's first space-based mobile video call from an area without mobile coverage.