Vodafone and AST SpaceMobile Launch SatCo in Luxembourg to Deliver Direct-to-Device Satellite Broadband

Vodafone and AST SpaceMobile Launch SatCo in Luxembourg to Deliver Direct-to-Device Satellite Broadband

(IN BRIEF) Vodafone and AST SpaceMobile are launching SatCo, a Luxembourg-based joint venture to deliver space-based cellular broadband directly to unmodified smartphones across Europe. With interest from operators in 21 EU countries and commercial roll-out starting in 2026, SatCo will leverage Luxembourg’s digital infrastructure and collaborate with governments and EU bodies to enhance Europe’s digital sovereignty. The venture will integrate ground stations with existing 4G/5G networks for seamless coverage anywhere. Building on previous achievements—such as Europe’s first satellite video call—SatCo aims to offer peak data rates up to 120 Mbps with upcoming satellites and will set up a research hub in Malaga to advance integrated satellite–terrestrial broadband innovation.

(PRESS RELEASE) BERKSHIRE, 30-Jun-2025 — /EuropaWire/ — Vodafone Group and AST SpaceMobile Inc. have announced that their newly formed satellite joint venture, SatCo, will be headquartered in Luxembourg, establishing a European sovereign hub for space-based cellular broadband. SatCo will exclusively distribute AST SpaceMobile’s direct-to-device satellite services to mobile network operators across Europe under a single turnkey model. These services, designed to complement terrestrial 4G/5G networks, have already attracted interest from operators in 21 EU member states and additional European markets. Commercial service launches are slated to begin in 2026.

Luxembourg was chosen for its robust digital infrastructure and strategic location, enabling SatCo to engage closely with the Luxembourg Government, EU institutions, member states, and industry stakeholders to advance Europe’s digital sovereignty and cohesive space strategy. By forging public–private partnerships, SatCo aims to position Europe at the forefront of direct-to-mobile broadband connectivity, delivering secure, resilient coverage anywhere—whether in remote mountains, at sea, or in urban centers.

“This initiative will guarantee uninterrupted, continent-wide mobile broadband for all European citizens, businesses, and governments,” said Margherita Della Valle, CEO of Vodafone. “Europe can lead the world in direct-to-device satellite broadband.”

Lex Delles, Luxembourg’s Minister of the Economy, added: “Hosting SatCo reaffirms Luxembourg’s role as an EU hub for innovative digital solutions and strengthens our longstanding ties with Vodafone.”

Elisabeth Margue, Minister Delegate for Media and Connectivity, remarked: “We welcome SatCo’s decision to base its European headquarters here. This move enriches our connectivity ecosystem and promises new opportunities for local talent and technology deployment.”

“By basing SatCo in Luxembourg, we’re bolstering Europe’s digital independence and building resilient broadband infrastructure across the continent,” said Abel Avellan, Founder and CEO of AST SpaceMobile.

SatCo will deploy a network of ground stations integrated with existing terrestrial operators to provide secure backhaul and seamless handover between satellite and land-based networks. The venture builds on Vodafone’s multi-year investment and partnership with AST SpaceMobile, which has already achieved milestones such as Europe’s first space-based video call on an unmodified smartphone and 20 Mbps downloads via 4G/5G satellite links. Next-generation satellites will target peak speeds of 120 Mbps.

Vodafone, AST SpaceMobile, and the University of Málaga will also establish a research hub at Vodafone’s Innovation Centre in Malaga—backed by the Spanish Space Agency—to develop integrated LEO-satellite and terrestrial broadband services.

Notes to Editors

The collaboration between Vodafone and AST SpaceMobile builds upon a strong foundation. Vodafone, one of the world’s leading telecommunications companies and a three-time investor in AST SpaceMobile since 2018, has been a key technology partner.

Together, the companies’ joint efforts have led to a series of groundbreaking achievements in direct-to-device connectivity with everyday smartphones, including the world’s first European space-based mobile video call to an unmodified phone. In addition, the companies have previously demonstrated 4G and 5G capabilities and achieved download speeds of over 20 Mbps to unmodified phones on a 5 MHz channel. The next generation satellites soon to be launched will enable peak data of 120 Mbps.

Vodafone, AST SpaceMobile, and the University of Málaga will also establish a new research hub at Vodafone’s Innovation Centre in Malaga, supported by the Spanish Space Agency, to develop integrated broadband services using low Earth orbit satellites and land mobile networks.

About Vodafone

Vodafone is a leading European and African telecoms company.

We serve over 340 million mobile and broadband customers, operating networks in 15 countries with investments in a further five and partners in over 40 more. Our undersea cables transport around a sixth of the world’s internet traffic, and we are developing a new direct-to-mobile satellite communications service to connect areas without coverage. Vodafone runs one of the world’s largest IoT platforms, with 205 million IoT connections, and we provide financial services to around 88 million customers across seven African countries – managing more transactions than any other provider.

From the seabed to the stars, Vodafone’s purpose is to keep everyone connected.

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.

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.

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 March 3, 2025.

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 March 3, 2025. 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.

Media Contact:

Vodafone

Investor Relations
investors.vodafone.com
vodafone.com/news/contact-us

Media Relations
ir@vodafone.co.uk
GroupMedia@vodafone.com

SOURCE: Vodafone Group