Vodafone and AST SpaceMobile Prep Satellite Based Mobile Broadband for 2026
Mobile operator Vodafone UK has issued an update on their Joint Venture (SatCo) with satellite operator AST SpaceMobile, which is in the process of launching a space-based 2G, 4G and 5G mobile (mobile broadband) service that can connect with regular Smartphones around the world. The first commercial services are expected to launch in 2026.
Just to recap. Over the past few years’ we’ve seen AST conduct several trials of the new platform, including via their prototype 1.5-ton BlueWalker 3 satellite (here) that orbits at an altitude of a little over 500km and features a huge 693-square-foot (64.4-square-meter) phased array antenna (here). The satellite was specifically designed for sending and receiving mobile signals between the space-based platform and regular mobile handsets.
The platform was originally developed with support from Vodafone and thus nobody was surprised to see the pair sign a long-term commercial agreement last year (here), which will run until at least 2034. This will support AST’s efforts toward launching a total of 100 similar satellites (BlueBirds) over the next few years (future models will be larger and more capable).
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Last year’s agreement essentially established the framework for Vodafone to offer space-based cellular broadband connectivity in its home markets (e.g. the UK), but at the time we didn’t get a lot of detail about how this would be delivered. The good news today is that the companies have confirmed that their first commercial services are expected to begin in 2026.
According to today’s update, the new joint venture satellite company (SatCo) will be “focused on delivering space-based cellular broadband connectivity” and is to be headquartered in Luxembourg. SatCo’s wholesale offering of Direct-to-Device (DtD) mobile broadband satellite services has already generated expressions of interest from network operators in 21 EU member states, as well as in other European markets.
Margherita Della Valle, CEO of Vodafone, said:
“This is an important initiative for Europe. Our service will ensure all European citizens, businesses, and governments enjoy uninterrupted, ubiquitous mobile broadband connectivity across the whole continent. Europe can take the lead in new direct-to-device mobile broadband technology.”
Abel Avellan, Founder, Chairman, and CEO of AST SpaceMobile, said:
“With SatCo now based in Luxembourg, Vodafone and AST SpaceMobile are strengthening Europe’s position in direct-to-mobile satellite services and advancing digital independence. This joint venture supports European digital sovereignty by creating a unified platform to deliver satellite connectivity across the continent. Together, we are building secure, resilient cellular broadband infrastructure to serve Europe’s connectivity needs—anywhere, anytime.”
The Luxembourg-headquartered venture will also need to deploy a “small network of earth stations” that integrate with operators of existing 4G/5G terrestrial networks, providing secure backhaul links, as well as extended coverage across Europe from the AST SpaceMobile satellite constellation. “This will enable users to switch automatically between space and land-based networks,” said the announcement.
Naturally the new SatCo will be going up against a similar Direct to Cell (DtC) service from Starlink (SpaceX), which is already starting to become operational in the USA and some other countries (note: no agreements have yet been confirmed with UK mobile operators).
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Starlink will also have many more satellites, although this is partly mitigated by AST’s advantage of having such a huge phased array antenna for significant coverage. But astronomers are known to be unhappy with the size and brightness of that antenna, which risks causing interference with scientific observations (Starlink has faced similar complaints).
On the other hand, the coverage of this service will still depend upon the SatCo’s ability to get regulatory approval in each country and to build suitable earth stations across their patch. But many regulators, such as Ofcom, are already in the process of introducing new rules to support such services.
The introduction of more competition in this field should hopefully also help to ensure fairer pricing for consumers, governments and businesses. We suspect domestic customers will only need to pay a fairly small additional monthly charge or premium to add such roaming. But we’ve yet to see any solid details on this from the SatCo.
Mark is a professional technology writer, IT consultant and computer engineer from Dorset (England), he also founded ISPreview in 1999 and enjoys analysing the latest telecoms and broadband developments. Find me on X (Twitter), Mastodon, Facebook, BlueSky, Threads.net and Linkedin.
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There is no way this will be cheaper or better than traditional roaming, the only advantage it will have will be in the deep forest or mountains but this is already covered by satellite mobiles like Iridium.
It will be used in conjunction with multiple other services assets already in place. This will help take a massive strain for non time critical data, such as downloads where packets can be dropped and the download will carry on and when the file arrives it’s all there. Imagine though a zoom hd steam or a shadow cloud system. These need a strong handshake not speed. I would love to see a setting that prioritised ping over speed. I also imagine that maybe more options for unlimited data no usage limit but more speed options IE 10mb WhatsApp etc 100mb YouTube netflix and so on.
This will be good if Putin decides to attack the undersea network cables that we are currently being brainwashed about what could happen. If it was cheap enough i’d buy it as a backup including during power cuts when cell towers arent working.
So far your idol Putin is jamming GPS in Eastern and Northern Europe. He can for sure jam the satellite signal.
I am back with Vodafone on pay as you go plus 5g unlimited @ 40 pounds a month and no so called fair usage limit like EE on the unlimited pack that has a limit of 500gb. Seriously EE and any of it mvnos are only as “good” because you can not use it.
I like the direction of Vodafone/Three and it is simple if we want a robust SECURE network we need to pay.
As for the nimbys out their please see sense and the nutters who have targeted thousands of pounds worth of 5g equipment should be ashamed.
Why the hate as usual lets support our industry and ask that they allow us the opportunity to pay for what the customer wants.
Some comments really are the sort that you can imagine, turn up to protest a cell site tower etc going up only to complain they can not get a signal when they arrive lol Gavin
Anyway for now I would like the regulator once and for all to stop the ludicrous practice of EE and all of its sub networks like Lycamobile plus others of the fair usage policy. 500gb fair usage limit on all UNLIMITED plans. So no wonder the network performance is on par no one is using it. Believe me you hotspot to a freely TV with a PS5 other mobile phones devices etc 500gb to be fair could be used easily in a day. Please please do not support the practice and EE UNLIMITED IS UNLIMITED NOT 500GB
On the surface it seems like you’re incorrect here.
Straight from Vodafone Pay As You Go Plus terms and conditions: “Example: If you purchase an ‘unlimited’ plan and your usage exceeds 600GB a month twice or
more in a 6-month period, this would be inconsistent with our Acceptable Use Policy.”
Sorry to burst your bubble but i just checked EE’s website. EE throttle your connection after 1000GB usage on their 5g unlimited package and also apply other things as they consider it not usual usage. In fact you never mentioned Three’s unlimited package is 1000GB as well, not 500 like you tried to make out. Anyone can go to EE’s mobile broadband page to check this.
Better get that PAC code Kev. Vodafone’s terms and conditions (https://www.vodafone.co.uk/cs/groups/configfiles/documents/contentdocuments/vfcon058965.pdf section 3c) state that they can investigate your usage & take appropriate action if you exceed 600GB per month twice or more in a 6 month period.
“Seriously EE and any of it mvnos are only as “good” because you can not use it.”
I use my EE phone a lot. Works fine, as you’d expect from the Rootmetrics award winning network.
“Believe me you hotspot to a freely TV with a PS5 other mobile phones devices etc 500gb to be fair could be used easily in a day. ”
This is not what the mobile networks want you to be doing. Even on their actual mobile broadband plans, rather than your attempt to misuse a phone plan. Vodafone wants you to do all that on a fixed line connection, preferably theirs.
Even so, you’d have to be working hard to do 500GB in a single day. Streaming video does not take that much bandwidth. You could download multiple games but that seems unrealistic. Even a fixed line ISP might question whether 500GB per day is appropriate residential usage.