Vodafone is a telecommunications company that is expanding its role in the space industry by focusing on providing direct-to-device satellite connectivity. They are partnering with AST SpaceMobile to deliver space-based mobile broadband across Europe, aiming to eliminate coverage gaps and provide ubiquitous connectivity. Vodafone is also establishing research hubs, such as the one in Malaga, Spain, to develop integrated space and terrestrial network solutions, with support from the Spanish Space Agency and the University of Málaga, to test hardware, software, and processing chips. Their major partners include AST SpaceMobile, Google, AT&T, and Verizon, with services targeting mobile network operators (MNOs) and customers in Europe and Africa; associated keywords include satellite connectivity, mobile broadband, and AST SpaceMobile.
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AST SpaceMobile recently secured strategic investments from AT&T, Google, and Vodafone.
Notable partners of AST SpaceMobile include Vodafone Group, Rakuten Mobile, AT&T, and Bell Canada.
John Finney launched Huawei’s campaign in Europe, securing major contracts including the BT 21st Century Network and a mobile network partnership with Vodafone.
AST SpaceMobile received a $155,000,000 strategic investment from AT&T, Google, and Vodafone.
Vodafone committed a $25,000,000 minimum revenue commitment to AST SpaceMobile, subject to a definitive agreement.
In 2023, AST SpaceMobile, working with AT&T, Vodafone, Rakuten, and Nokia, demonstrated 0.002 kg, 0.004 kg LTE, and 0.005 kg calls and achieved 14 Mbps download speeds per 5 MHz channels directly from space to everyday smartphones.
Vodafone agreed to make a $25,000,000 prepayment for a future AST SpaceMobile commercial service as part of its investment.
Most of the strategic investment announced 2025-01-18, totaling $110 million, is in the form of a debt instrument that pays interest to Google, AT&T, and Vodafone and could later be converted into shares in AST SpaceMobile.
AST SpaceMobile completed 0.004 kg testing with AT&T and Vodafone prior to demonstrating 0.005 kg connectivity.
AST SpaceMobile engineers placed a space-based 0.005 kg call from Maui, Hawaii to a Vodafone engineer in Madrid using AT&T spectrum and the BlueWalker 3 test satellite.
Vodafone directly operates in 21 countries, of which 11 are in Europe and eight are in Africa through Vodacom.
Vodafone and Vodacom agreed to use Amazon’s envisioned network of 3,200 low Earth orbit satellites to bring 0.004 kg and 0.005 kg connectivity to areas that are challenging or expensive to serve with terrestrial networks.
Initial Project Kuiper service pilots will be available for Vodafone, Vodacom, and other enterprise customers by the end of 2024 after launching an unspecified number of satellites.
Vodafone plans to test beta services from Amazon’s planned Project Kuiper broadband constellation next year to extend the reach of its cellular networks in Europe and Africa.
AST SpaceMobile achieved space-based 0.004 kg LTE cellular broadband connectivity to everyday smartphones during BlueWalker 3 testing with AT&T, Vodafone, and Nokia.
BlueWalker 3 testing with AT&T, Vodafone, and Nokia reached download speeds above 10 Mbps.
Ovzon partnered with Vodafone Italia to deliver its SATCOM-as-a-Service solution to the Italian Fire and Rescue Services.
Lynk Global, Inc. signed a second commercial contract with Telecel Group to provide services to Vodafone Ghana’s subscribers.
AST SpaceMobile’s efforts to expand space-based cellular broadband include partnerships with Rakuten Mobile, Vodafone Group, American Tower, and AT&T.
SES signed a deal with Vodafone to support Vodafone’s current 0.004 kg and future 0.005 kg rollout plans in Papua New Guinea.