Vodafone Group has been an enthusiastic supporter of AST SpaceMobile for some years. It has demonstrated video calls via its circuits with AST and has created a joint-venture with AST in the form of a ‘SatCo’ in November 2025.

SatCo has morphed into Satellite Connect Europe. Last week, Vodafone Spain (which is not owned by Vodafone Group) joined the project as a partner and explained that it is planning Direct-to-Device (D2D) connectivity in 2027 via the Satellite Connect Europe (SCE) scheme. In Spain the project is known as Vodafone SAT.

SCE has established a presence in Luxembourg – probably to tap into the country’s advantageous tax breaks for satellite-lined businesses – and a physical HQ in Germany.

The Spanish operator said the new service is aimed at improving network resilience and expanding connectivity in places that are not covered by existing terrestrial networks. It described the move as “an extension of existing mobile networks.”

“In the coming weeks, Vodafone Spain will begin working with businesses, public administrations, and strategic sectors to develop practical applications for this technology across a wide range of use cases, including emergency response, security, defence, agriculture, industry, transport, maritime environments, and rural areas. As an extension of existing mobile networks, space-based mobile broadband has the potential to enhance coverage, resilience, and operational capabilities, helping to ensure connectivity wherever it is needed,” said the Spanish business.

Spain added that it expects the service to be available during 2027 subject to regulatory approvals, but connectivity could happen sooner if those authorisations arrive sooner than expected, and meanwhile could be used for emergency services.

The Spanish operator said that it now has low-band spectrum available after switching off its 3G network in 2024, which can be used for new services such as D2D.

José Miguel García, CEO of Vodafone Spain, commented: “We were the first to bring the latest network technologies, such as 4G and 5G, to Spain, and we want to lead the next evolution of connectivity through direct satellite-to-mobile services. This agreement with Satellite Connect Europe allows us to start working immediately with businesses, public administrations, and strategic sectors to develop and evaluate real-world, useful, and impactful applications before commercial launch.”

Meredith Sharples, Managing Director of Satellite Connect Europe, added: “Through this partnership, Vodafone Spain will continue to expand the reach and capabilities of mobile connectivity across Spain. Satellite technology seamlessly complements terrestrial networks by extending coverage, strengthening resilience, and helping ensure customers remain connected wherever they are. This is another important step forward in bringing space-based mobile broadband connectivity to more places and more people, using a standard mobile phone, throughout Spain and across Europe.”

Satellite Connect Europe existing partners include CK Hutchison, Orange, Sunrise, Telefónica, Vodafone Ireland and VodafoneThree. Some of these networks have overlapping services. For example, CK Hutchison hopes to offer satellite D2D services in Austria, Denmark, Ireland, Italy and Sweden.

Orange also extends beyond Europe, especially into Africa.

However, these promised services will depend on AST managing to launch extra satellites. The operator says that around 45-60 satellites will be in orbit by year-end. Its next batch will launch in the first-half of August.

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Categories: Blogs, Inside Satellite

Tags: AST SpaceMobile, Orange, spain, Sunrise, telefonica, Vodafone