AST SpaceMobile, a U.S.-based satellite operator, has announced plans to establish a sovereign, space-based network across Europe, offering broadband directly to devices. The company submitted its plans through German regulators, revealing the initiative on November 7. This project will be managed by SatCo, a Luxembourg-based joint venture established in March with European telecoms giant Vodafone.

Vodafone, an investor in AST, has already pledged cellular spectrum to facilitate the launch of services in 10 countries, subject to regulatory approval. SatCo intends to offer a pan-European service utilizing 2 gigahertz S-band spectrum, which is up for renewal in the region in 2027, along with 700 megahertz public protection and disaster relief (PPDR) frequencies. Currently, Viasat utilizes S-band for its hybrid satellite-cellular European Aviation Network, while EchoStar intends to divest its global Mobile Satellite Services spectrum to enhance SpaceX’s Starlink direct-to-device (D2D) offering.

"SatCo delivers a sovereign satellite solution to the whole of Europe," stated Vodafone CEO Margherita Della Valle, emphasizing that existing D2D providers like Starlink, which rely on cellular partnerships, must expand on a country-by-country basis. According to AST, 21 European Union member states and other European countries have expressed interest in adopting the service, which is scheduled for commercial availability next year as satellite deployments increase.

SatCo also plans to establish its main satellite operations center in Germany, near Munich or Hannover, pending final negotiations. This center will host one of the ground gateways necessary for expanding coverage across Europe. The constellation will feature a "command switch" enabling European oversight of security and network operations, the companies said. The system will update telemetry, tracking and control encryption keys for S-band smartphone connections and Q/V-band satellite-to-ground links, as well as manage service-level encryption along with the activation and direction of satellite beams across Europe.

Earlier this year, when announcing the joint venture, AST mentioned that the expansion would be supported by 5,600 square meters of new manufacturing and office space in Barcelona, Spain. However, the November 7 announcement did not include an update on satellite plans. The venture has already deployed five operational BlueBird satellites, constructed at its Texas facilities, though 45 to 60 satellites are required for continuous coverage across anchor markets. A sixth BlueBird, shipped to India last month for launch, is significantly larger at 223 square meters once deployed, more than three times the size of the previous generation. AST plans to deploy up to 60 satellites by the end of 2026, but this timeline depends on the availability of Blue Origin’s delayed New Glenn launcher.