Shares in Vodafone’s satellite partner AST SpaceMobile rose 20 per cent today before a small pullback after the company posted strong second-quarter results and highlighted progress with key partnerships.
AST SpaceMobile confirmed it has the funding to launch 45 to 60 satellites by 2026. Launches will take place every one to two months during 2025 and 2026. Investors think thus gives the company a clear and achievable rollout plan.
A major driver of investor interest is AST’s partnership with Vodafone. The project aims to deliver direct-to-device satellite mobile broadband across Europe. The service will allow standard smartphones to connect to satellites without extra hardware or software. For mobile operators, it offers a turnkey way to extend coverage beyond terrestrial networks.
Vodafone plans to roll out Europe’s first commercial direct-to-smartphone broadband satellite service in 2025-2026, expanding network coverage to rural and underserved areas across the continent.
Operating from low Earth orbit, Vodafone says its satellite service using AST SpaceMobile’s BlueBird satellites is currently the only service that offers direct mobile broadband from space to standard 4G and 5G smartphones. The service will augment Vodafone’s terrestrial network, offering connectivity in areas where mobile coverage has been impossible.
The Vodafone AST joint venture is based in Luxembourg. It will run ground stations and network operations from there. Vodafone contributes engineering expertise and backhaul capabilities aligned with European sovereignty goals. This supports Europe’s aim for digital independence and near-universal mobile coverage, including in remote areas such as mountains and offshore waters.
Vodafone backed AST early on. It ordered its first Block 1 BlueBird gateway and signed a long-term deal for services through 2034. This will allow Vodafone to offer mobile broadband in places unreachable by traditional networks.