On Friday, Vodafone and AST SpaceMobile unveiled ambitious plans to form a new satellite group in Europe that will facilitate communication between satellites and smartphones for various purposes, both commercial and governmental. This was reported by Reuters.
The operational center of the new satellite group will be based in Germany, with potential locations near Munich or Hanover currently under consideration. This initiative will be implemented through a joint venture between the two companies.
Satellite service providers are aiming to offer mobile connectivity in response to the increasing demand for broadband internet in underserved areas.
According to consulting firm Novaspace, the market for satellite connectivity with phones could exceed $10 billion by 2033.
The German center will provide connectivity for mobile network operators across Europe, supporting broadband services, population protection, and disaster relief, as stated by Vodafone and AST.
The satellite group will be equipped with a “command center” for monitoring and security, including communication encryption and satellite oversight over Europe.
Commercial operations of the satellite group are scheduled for 2026.
Vodafone's CEO, Margherita Della Valle, noted in a press release that this “sovereign satellite solution” will provide operators in Europe with access to secure satellite communication that complements existing ground networks.