During the opening keynote at the Mobile World Congress 2026 in Barcelona, the CEO of Vodafone, Margherita Della Valle, emphasized the necessity for establishing robust safety and security standards for satellite communications. With the integration of satellite services into terrestrial networks, there’s a pressing need for defined measures that protect customer trust.
Margherita Della Valle advocated for a shift in focus from the constant pursuit of innovation to ensuring coordination and safeguards within the industry. According to her, the core requirement is not new ideas or better engineers, but clear rules that promote safety in satellite communications. “These rules need to be applied to how mobile operators use the sky to add new services. But let me start by saying that we don’t need new ideas and neither do we need better engineers as an industry. All this we have plenty of and it’s not even about money,” she stated.
She also highlighted the importance of international collaboration among technology companies, investors, and policymakers. This collaboration could prevent a disruptive “wild west” scenario in the sky and ensure an enriching future. The goal is to foster a cohesive global approach that mitigates risks and promotes trust within the industry.
Aligned with this call for regulatory frameworks, Vodafone announced that leading European operators, including Orange and Telefonica, will collaborate under the Satellite Connect Europe initiative. They will leverage AST SpaceMobile satellites to enhance connectivity across ten markets. The CEO expressed optimism about this initiative, emphasizing, “This new frontier in communication is both exciting and possible.”
The proposal by Vodafone’s CEO underscores a significant challenge: balancing innovation with responsibility. As satellite technology advances, operators must collectively prioritize safety to preserve and bolster consumer confidence in the industry. It suggests the need for stakeholders to unite and ensure the responsible use of satellite technology for the benefit of all.
