Highlights:

  • Vodafone and AST SpaceMobile will locate their European Satellite Operations Centre in Germany, supporting the planned EU satellite constellation.
  • The constellation will feature a “command switch” to enable European oversight, security, and encrypted communications.
  • Commercial mobile broadband services through SatCo are expected to begin across Europe from 2026.

Vodafone Group (LSE:VOD) and AST SpaceMobile Inc. (NASDAQ:ASTS) have announced Germany as the chosen location for their European Satellite Operations Centre, designed to enhance Europe’s digital sovereignty and secure space-based mobile communications.

The centre, part of their Luxembourg-headquartered joint venture SatCo, will manage and map satellite connectivity across Europe, ensuring consistent mobile broadband coverage in remote areas and providing communications support to emergency services. Final site selection will be made between locations near Munich and Hannover, following ongoing negotiations with relevant authorities.

EU Constellation to Strengthen Oversight and Connectivity

The companies are developing a European satellite constellation capable of delivering broadband connectivity directly to everyday smartphones without additional hardware. The system will include a “command switch” that allows European authorities to manage security and operational oversight.

This feature enables real-time updates of telemetry, tracking, and control encryption keys for both S-Band (used for smartphone connectivity) and Q/V-Band (for satellite-to-ground communications). It also governs satellite beam activation, deactivation, and direction.

In addition to commercial use, the constellation will support Public Protection and Disaster Relief (PPDR) communications by providing high-speed, reliable connections during emergencies and natural disasters.

Supporting Emergency and Critical Communications

The new satellite network aims to contribute to the EU Critical Communication System (EUCCS) vision, enhancing coordination among first responders and agencies during crises. It will operate on frequencies compatible with PPDR radio communications, subject to national deployment decisions.

Engineers at the German operations centre will monitor satellite activity, respond to space events such as solar flares, and manage operational contingencies. The centre will also host one of several SatCo gateway stations across Europe, which connect satellites to terrestrial 4G/5G networks.

International Filings and Spectrum Plans

AST SpaceMobile has filed with the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) through Germany to register the mid-band satellite constellation, ensuring alignment with global telecommunications regulations and preventing signal interference.

Germany’s location offers strategic advantages for SatCo’s European network management. In addition to supporting mobile network operators (MNOs) in all 21 EU member states and beyond, SatCo is a candidate for access to the EU 2GHz Mobile Satellite Services (MSS) spectrum. If granted, this would allow existing MNOs to provide a unified, space-based broadband service directly to customers across the continent.

Commercial Rollout from 2026

Commercial services through SatCo are expected to launch from 2026, enabling MNOs to deliver space-enabled mobile broadband to citizens, businesses, and public sector users across Europe. The initiative represents a key step toward improving connectivity in underserved regions and building a sovereign European satellite infrastructure.