Vodafone is taking a bold step towards bridging the digital divide. Together with AST SpaceMobile and the University of Málaga, it plans to open a hub enabling seamless transition between satellite and terrestrial mobile broadband. This venture is aimed at offering almost comprehensive digital connectivity across Europe. Supported by a grant from the Spanish Space Agency, this project opens its doors to other technological players interested in contributing.
Vodafone’s chief network officer, Alberto Ripepi, highlighted the increasing need to close digital coverage gaps. As society leans into digital engagement, this hub seeks to foster partnerships with visionary organizations. Its core goal is harmonizing space and earth networks to ensure Europe’s connectivity goals are met.
Central to the hub’s mission is the development of hardware and software solutions. These solutions need to efficiently switch between space-based and terrestrial communications. A significant technological achievement in this area is Vodafone’s space-to-land gateway. Highlighted by their earlier direct-to-device space video call, this gateway will allow partners to test their technologies in collaboration with AST SpaceMobile’s BlueBird satellites.
Vodafone believes in a collaborative approach, encouraging operators to experiment through the hub. This is expected to quicken innovations, ensuring universal and efficient connectivity. More ambitiously, the hub will evolve into a full-fledged network and service operations center connecting numerous third-party entities across Europe.
According to Chris Ivory, AST SpaceMobile’s chief commercial officer, this venture aligns with a shared vision. The partnership targets providing direct space-based broadband connectivity to ubiquitous smartphones. This initiative’s timing aligns with a growing trend in the telecoms sector. The convergence of satellite and terrestrial systems is becoming increasingly prominent, described at an industry event as the “Great Convergence.”
Set to open this summer, the hub will find its home at Vodafone’s European innovation center in Málaga, Spain. The space will advance technological breakthroughs essential for reliable and omnipresent digital connections.
