Vodafone and AST SpaceMobile put a European flag on direct-to-device—and pick Germany for the command center
SAN FRANCISCO — November 7, 2025 (PT)
Europe has talked for years about “digital sovereignty.” This morning it found a crisp, commercial form of it: Vodafone and AST SpaceMobile (AST) are creating a Europe-led satellite constellation and a jointly run operations hub in Germany to beam broadband straight to everyday smartphones—no special handset needed. The JV (branded “SatCo”) is already lining up mobile operators across the bloc and aims to begin commercial rollout in 2026.
What’s actually new
Two details lift this beyond a routine telco–satellite tie-up.
