Vodafone Group and AST SpaceMobile have announced that their new joint venture satellite company, SatCo, will be headquartered in Luxembourg, creating a European sovereign integrated satellite service. AST SpaceMobile is building the first and only space-based cellular broadband network accessible directly by everyday smartphones, designed for both commercial and government applications.
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 are in close contact with the Luxembourg government, key European policy makers, 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 will 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 the world’s first European space-based mobile video call to an unmodified phone from the UK. Additionally, the companies, using AST SpaceMobile’s space-based mobile broadband network, have demonstrated 4G and 5G capabilities and achieved download speeds of over 20Mbps to unmodified phones on a 5MHz channel. The 2025 next generation satellites soon to be launched will enable peak data rates of 120Mbps.
“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,” said Margherita Della Valle, CEO of Vodafone.
The planned establishment of 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.
“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,” said 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.”
The Luxembourg-headquartered venture will 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 in low Earth orbit. This will allow users to switch automatically between space and land-based networks.
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