Vodafone Ukraine and AST SpaceMobile Inc. announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding during the MWC exhibition in Barcelona. The goal of the cooperation is to introduce a new generation of satellite communications in Ukraine, which will allow standard smartphones to access high-speed Internet and voice services via low-Earth orbit satellites (LEO).
The project includes several key areas:
- Providing high-speed Internet via satellites for corporate services, streaming and web surfing, even in remote regions.
- Voice communications without intermediate devices or applications, providing real-time calls from standard smartphones.
- Increasing national network resilience, creating a backup level of communication for Ukrainians under any conditions.
- Automatic switching between ground stations and LEO satellites for user convenience.
“We strive to provide our customers with connectivity without any compromises. Together with AST SpaceMobile, we go beyond simple messaging and offer a powerful satellite solution. Our goal is to provide access to all the capabilities of the Internet and high-quality voice communication even in the most remote corners of the country under any circumstances,” said Olga Ustinova, CEO of Vodafone Ukraine.
AST SpaceMobile President Scott Vishnevsky added that the space network will allow Ukrainians, businesses and critical services to access high-speed services directly from satellites, regardless of geography and condition infrastructure.
The companies plan to develop a detailed roadmap for a commercial launch, which will include a marketing strategy, the use of radio frequencies and improving the customer experience. The memorandum defines the framework of cooperation and is not a final commercial contract, the implementation of the project will depend on technical tests, signing agreements and obtaining permits from regulators.
Vodafone is not the only player in the satellite Internet market. French company Eutelsat Communications plans to raise 1.35 billion euros ($1.5 billion) from the French government and other investors to become an alternative to Elon Musk’s Starlink in the European market.
