Vodafone and AST SpaceMobile have a joint-venture covering AST’s planned ‘direct-to-consumer’ satellite-based cellular service. The pair have chosen Luxembourg as the new company’s headquarters.

Mobile operators covering 21 EU member states and other European countries have already expressed an interest in using the service; commercial launches expected from 2026. The planned establishment of the new ‘SatCo’ was announced in March this year by Vodafone and AST SpaceMobile. This unique solution is being led by Europe, from Luxembourg, and will benefit the EU’s Digital Decade 2030 targets.

The new enterprise said: “Luxembourg’s strong digital credentials and strategic location provide SatCo with the ideal platform from which to exclusively distribute AST SpaceMobile’s broadband satellite services to European mobile network operators under a single turnkey arrangement. SatCo’s wholesale offering of direct-to-device mobile broadband satellite services, which complement terrestrial networks, has generated expressions of interest from network operators in 21 EU member states, as well as in other European markets. Commercial services are expected to begin in 2026.”

Vodafone and AST SpaceMobile say they are in close contact with the Luxembourg Government, key European policymakers, EU Member States and industry stakeholders to advance national and European digital sovereignty by promoting a cohesive space strategy. SatCo will forge private and public sector partnerships that aim position Europe as a leader in the provision of direct-to-mobile space-based broadband connectivity. This will provide the region with a secure and resilient digital communications infrastructure for use in any location, including mountains or at sea, at any time. Together, the companies’ joint efforts have already led to a series of achievements in direct-to-device connectivity with everyday smartphones, including a European space-based mobile video call to an unmodified phone from the UK. In addition, the companies, using AST SpaceMobile’s space-based mobile broadband network, have demonstrated 4G and 5G capabilities and achieved download speeds of over 20 Mbps to unmodified phones on a 5 MHz channel. The 2025 next generation satellites soon to be launched will enable peak data rates of 120 Mbps.

Margherita Della Valle, CEO of Vodafone, commented: “This is an important initiative for Europe. Our service will ensure that European citizens, businesses, and governments enjoy uninterrupted, ubiquitous mobile broadband connectivity across the whole continent. Europe can take the lead in new direct-to-mobile broadband technology.”

“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,” added Abel Avellan, Founder, Chairman, and CEO of AST SpaceMobile. “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.”

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Categories: Articles, Broadband, Satellite

Tags: AST SpaceMobile, luxembourg, Vodafone