Vodafone has announced plans to establish Europe’s first research hub focused on integrating low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite and terrestrial mobile broadband, enabling seamless switching between satellite and 4G/5G networks on standard smartphones.
Vodafone aims to extend mobile coverage to its 340 million customers across 15 countries and its network partners in 45 additional markets. The company is set to roll out commercial direct-to-smartphone satellite broadband services across Europe in 2025 and 2026.
Slated to open by summer at Vodafone’s European innovation center in Málaga, Spain, the hub is backed by an initial grant from the Spanish Space Agency. Vodafone’s key partners in the initiative include AST SpaceMobile and the University of Málaga, with additional technology firms invited to collaborate on developing a European ecosystem for integrated satellite and terrestrial connectivity.
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Closing the Coverage Gap
Alberto Ripepi, Vodafone Group Chief Network Officer, said, “As society becomes more digital, the need to close coverage gaps increases. Vodafone, together with AST SpaceMobile and the University of Málaga, will forge partnerships with like-minded organizations to build harmonious space and Earth networks to meet Europe’s ambitious targets for ubiquitous digital connectivity.”
Vodafone’s upcoming research hub will specialize in designing, testing, and validating open-source hardware, software, and processing chips capable of operating seamlessly across both satellite and terrestrial networks.
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Building on Foundational Success
The facility will include a space-to-land gateway, similar to the one used for Vodafone’s first successful space-based, direct-to-device video call. This gateway will enable Vodafone’s partners and other telecom operators to trial and refine their services using AST SpaceMobile’s BlueBird satellites before commercial deployment.
Chris Ivory, AST SpaceMobile Chief Commercial Officer, added, “We are excited to collaborate with Vodafone and the University of Málaga on this pioneering project. This partnership will drive forward our shared vision of providing space-based cellular broadband connectivity directly to everyday smartphones everywhere, leveraging our innovative satellite technology with the largest commercial communications arrays ever deployed in low Earth orbit.”
