AST SpaceMobile, the company building the first and only space-based cellular broadband network accessible directly by everyday smartphones, and Vodafone, a leading European and African telecommunications company, announced that they have entered into a definitive long-term commercial agreement through 2034.
This marks a significant step forward in their collaboration to expand broadband connectivity globally.
The agreement establishes a framework for Vodafone to offer space-based cellular broadband connectivity in its home markets, as well as to other operators via its Partner Markets program. Since 2018, Vodafone has been a key investor and technology partner in AST SpaceMobile’s development, contributing to several world-first achievements in direct-to-device connectivity, including confirmed 2G, 4G, and 5G capabilities. In April 2023, AST SpaceMobile and its partners completed the first-ever space-based voice call to an unmodified phone, followed by the first-ever 4G download speed above 10 Mbps in June 2023, and the first-ever 5G voice call in September 2023. Ultimately, over 20 Mbps download speeds have been demonstrated on unmodified phones using a 5 MHz channel.
As part of the agreement, Vodafone has placed an order for its first Block 1 BlueBird gateway, marking a milestone in AST SpaceMobile’s global network deployment. This infrastructure will allow users outside traditional cellular coverage to connect their smartphones directly to AST SpaceMobile’s satellites in low Earth orbit, routing data through the gateway to Vodafone’s existing network for broadband and internet services.
Future Block 2 BlueBirds are designed to feature communications arrays up to 2,400 square feet, offering up to 10 times the bandwidth capacity of current satellites. These next-generation satellites are expected to deliver peak data transmission speeds up to 120 Mbps, supporting voice, full data, and video applications.
In 2024, AST SpaceMobile has secured additional strategic investments from AT&T, Verizon, Google, and Vodafone, alongside new contract awards with the United States Government. The company has agreements with over 45 mobile network operators globally, collectively serving approximately 2.8 billion subscribers. Notable partners include Vodafone, AT&T, Verizon, Rakuten Mobile, Bell Canada, Orange, Telefonica, TIM, and others. Strategic investors include AT&T, Verizon, Vodafone, Google, Rakuten, American Tower, Cisneros Group, and Bell Canada.