A New Era of Satellite Connectivity in Europe
On Friday, Vodafone and AST SpaceMobile unveiled their plans to establish a new European satellite group aimed at providing communication between satellites and smartphones for commercial and governmental purposes. This news was reported by Reuters.
The operational center of the satellite group will be located in Germany, with potential sites near Munich or Hanover currently under consideration. The initiative will be led by a joint venture of both companies.
Satellite service providers are eager to deliver mobile connectivity as the demand for broadband internet in underserved areas continues to rise.
According to the Paris-based consulting firm Novaspace, the market for satellite connectivity with phones could exceed $10 billion by 2033.
The German center will facilitate communication for mobile network operators across Europe, supporting broadband services, population protection, and disaster relief efforts, Vodafone and AST stated.
The satellite group will be equipped with a “command switch” for monitoring and security, including encrypted communications and satellite oversight across Europe, they added.
Commercial operations of the satellite group are expected to commence in 2026.
Vodafone CEO Margherita Della Valle stated in a press release that this “sovereign satellite solution” will provide operators in Europe with access to secure satellite communications that will complement existing terrestrial networks.
