(Sharecast News) - Vodafone announced on Friday that, alongside AST SpaceMobile, it has selected Germany as the location for the European Satellite Operations Centre, marking a major step in their plans to build a sovereign EU satellite broadband network.
The FTSE 100 telecoms giant said the move followed the establishment of SatCo, the Luxembourg-headquartered joint venture between Vodafone and AST SpaceMobile, aiming to deliver space-based mobile connectivity directly to standard smartphones across Europe.

It said the new centre, to be located near either Munich or Hannover, would oversee satellite connectivity allocation and mapping for mobile network operators (MNOs) across the continent.

The centre would also support emergency services and disaster response teams by ensuring continuous mobile broadband coverage, including in remote or disaster-stricken regions.

AST SpaceMobile, which is developing the first space-based cellular broadband network accessible by regular mobile devices, said SatCo intended to launch commercial services in 2026.

Mobile operators in 21 EU member states and other European countries had already expressed interest in joining the project.

"SatCo delivers a sovereign satellite solution to the whole of Europe," said Vodafone chief executive Margherita Della Valle.

"It will give European operators access to secure and resilient satellite communications, complementing existing terrestrial telecommunications networks.

"By establishing a satellite constellation in the EU and our principal command centre in Germany, we are ensuring the next frontier of communications infrastructure is firmly embedded in Europe."

The planned EU satellite constellation would include a dedicated 'command switch' designed to ensure European oversight and security.

Vodafone said the feature would enable the updating of telemetry, tracking and control encryption keys, the management of service encryption for communications across the continent, and control over the activation and direction of satellite beams.

"Together with Vodafone, we are accelerating the arrival of true mobile broadband from space across Europe," said AST SpaceMobile founder, chairman and chief executive Abel Avellan.

"Germany's operations centre will be the operations hub for our BlueBird constellation in Europe, enabling us to serve millions of users.

"Alongside our gateways, we are building a robust, secure infrastructure that ensures Europe stays connected with seamless mobile broadband, always."

The system would also support public protection and disaster relief efforts by providing direct satellite connectivity to the smartphones and devices of emergency responders, even in areas where terrestrial networks are unavailable.

AST SpaceMobile had submitted the necessary filings through Germany with the International Telecommunication Union to register a new mid-band constellation and coordinate frequency use.

SatCo was also seeking access to the EU's 2GHz Mobile Satellite Services spectrum, which would allow MNOs to distribute a pan-European sovereign space-based broadband service.

Germany's central location and technical expertise were cited as key factors in its selection, providing SatCo with what Vodafone described as the "ideal foundation" to complement terrestrial networks and support Europe's ambition for digital sovereignty and secure connectivity.

At 0919 GMT, shares in Vodafone Group were up 0.25% at 87.38p.

Reporting by Josh White for Sharecast.com.

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