The long-term partners entered into a definitive long-term commercial agreement through 2034
Space-based cellular broadband network builder AST SpaceMobile has entered into a definitive long-term commercial agreement with Vodafone Group that runs through to 2034. Since 2018, Vodafone has been a three-time investor in AST SpaceMobile, and is a key technology partner in AST SpaceMobile’s development, including several world’s firsts in direct-to-device connectivity with everyday smartphones that confirmed 2G, 4G and 5G capabilities.
This agreement establishes the 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.
AST SpaceMobile’s tie-up with Vodafone follows a six-year deal in June with AT&T to provide space-based broadband services, which was quickly followed by a strategic partnership with Verizon. With the size of the backers, it helps the satellite company push through with its crazy-large array BlueBird satellites which would otherwise be deemed a fairly risky approach to building a space-based mobile network. On the other hand, the attractiveness of the subsequent service it will provide is centred on the fact you can use unmodified mobile handsets.
In April 2023, AST SpaceMobile and its partners completed the first-ever space-based voice call to an unmodified phone. That was followed a 4G download speed above 10 Mbps in June 2023 and a 5G voice call in September 2023. Ultimately, the company and its partners have demonstrated over 20 Mbps download speeds to unmodified phones on a 5 MHz channel.
Vodafone has placed an order for its first Block 1 BlueBird gateway, marking a milestone in the deployment of AST SpaceMobile’s global network infrastructure. Users outside traditional cellular coverage will be able to connect their smartphones directly to AST SpaceMobile’s satellites in low Earth orbit, which in turn will route the data to the gateway. These gateways will then connect to Vodafone’s existing network infrastructure to route the broadband data to users’ devices, as well as to access third-party apps and the internet.
Don’t forget Kuiper
Vodafone is not putting all of its eggs in the AST SpaceMobile basket having signed Amazon’s Project Kuiper as LEO partner in September 2023 with Vodacom. Vodafone was Amazon’s second big telco partner after Verizon went early, signing a deal in 2021. But the ties to AST run deep given Vodafone Group’s former CTO Johan Wibergh has joined AST SpaceMobile’s board of directors in June and Kuiper is still a long way off.Â
AST SpaceMobile’s next-generation Block 2 BlueBirds featuring up to 2,400 square foot communications arrays, are designed to deliver up to ten times the bandwidth capacity of the BlueBird satellites in orbit today, enabling peak data transmission speeds up to 120 Mbps, supporting voice, full data, and video applications.
During 2024, AST SpaceMobile said it had secured additional strategic investment from AT&T, Verizon, Google and Vodafone, and new contract awards with the United States Government, directly and through prime contractors.
The company has agreements with more than 45 mobile network operators globally, which have over approximately 2.8 billion existing subscribers total, including Vodafone Group, AT&T, Verizon, Rakuten Mobile, Bell Canada, Orange, Telefonica, TIM, Saudi Telecom Company, Zain KSA, Etisalat, Indosat Ooredoo Hutchison, Telkomsel, Smart Communications, Globe Telecom, Millicom, Smartfren, Telecom Argentina, MTN, Telstra, Africell, Liberty Latin America and others. AT&T, Verizon, Vodafone, Google, Rakuten, American Tower, Cisneros Group and Bell Canada are also existing investors in AST SpaceMobile.