World news
🛰 AST SpaceMobile and Vodafone to Build Satellite D2D Network
Operator AST SpaceMobile and telecom giant Vodafone have joined forces to establish a new European satellite constellation called SatCo, headquartered in Germany, according to Advanced Television.
The project aims to enable direct-to-device (D2D) smartphone connectivity, positioning itself as a direct competitor to Starlink.
Goal: to provide scalable mobile satellite connectivity for mobile network operators (MNOs) across 21 EU countries and other markets. Commercial launch is scheduled for 2026.
The constellation will include a “command switch” function for European oversight, allowing control over encryption and satellite beam direction.
AST’s total constellation now comprises 344 satellites.
Experts suggest that SatCo could become a more flexible alternative to the EU’s €10 billion IRIS² mega-constellation, which is focused on government clients. Unlike IRIS², SatCo is designed for the consumer market, providing connectivity via standard mobile phones — without requiring specialized hardware.
