en.Wedoany.com Reported - AST SpaceMobile, Inc. (NASDAQ: ASTS) today announced that it is working with leading mobile network operators, including Vodafone, Orange, Telefónica, Deutsche Telekom, and Vodafone Ukraine, to advance integrated testing of its space-based cellular broadband network in the United Kingdom, Ireland, Romania, France, the Czech Republic, Germany, Spain, and Ukraine, accelerating the service's rollout across Europe. The company stated that it is building the first and only space-based cellular broadband network directly accessible by everyday smartphones, serving both commercial and government applications.
Subject to regulatory approvals, these integrated tests will leverage the terrestrial gateway infrastructure being deployed across Europe by Satellite Connect Europe. These customized projects are designed to enable seamless integration of AST SpaceMobile's space-based cellular broadband services with existing terrestrial mobile networks, allowing users to connect without changing or modifying their standard smartphones.
The European projects build on AST SpaceMobile's global commercial momentum. The company is advancing the deployment of its BlueBird satellite constellation and collaborating with nearly 60 mobile network operators worldwide, covering more than 3 billion existing subscribers.
Satellite Connect Europe is a joint venture established by AST SpaceMobile and Vodafone in Luxembourg, providing open-access direct-to-device connectivity capabilities to European mobile network operators and operating terrestrial infrastructure in Europe. AST SpaceMobile's expansion in Europe leverages its "neutral operator" gateway infrastructure. Through joint deployment, the partners aim to extend network coverage to areas beyond the reach of terrestrial mobile infrastructure, eliminate coverage dead zones, and enhance network resilience, public safety communications, and emergency response capabilities, delivering connectivity to consumers, businesses, and government users.
Chris Ivory, Chief Commercial Officer of AST SpaceMobile, stated that the company is working with several leading mobile network operators worldwide to advance activities across multiple countries, with the goal of becoming a seamlessly complementary connectivity layer alongside existing terrestrial networks; together, the parties are building a future where everyday smartphones stay connected in more places, providing a resilient layer of connectivity for consumers, businesses, first responders, and governments.
AST SpaceMobile's satellite technology, supported by approximately 3,900 patents and patent applications, delivers broadband connectivity to standard mobile devices without requiring dedicated hardware, software, or applications. Because its solution integrates with existing mobile networks and utilizes standard 3GPP technology, operators can expand coverage while maintaining control over customer relationships.
The company's cellular broadband network deploys the largest phased array ever placed in low Earth orbit, covering approximately 2,400 square feet (223 square meters), enabling direct connectivity to everyday smartphones. Next-generation satellites are designed with peak data rates nearly double those of the initial Block 1 BlueBird satellites. The Block 1 BlueBird satellites have recently achieved peak downlink speeds of 98.9 Mbps directly to standard smartphones, supporting voice, broadband data, and video applications from space, serving consumers, businesses, first responders, and governments worldwide.
