Vodafone Group and AST SpaceMobile Inc. (NASDAQ: ASTS) have announced plans to establish Germany as the location of their primary Satellite Operations Centre, forming part of their new European sovereign satellite initiative. The move is set to reinforce Europe’s digital sovereignty and advance plans for a large-scale satellite constellation serving the continent.
The decision follows the creation of SatCo, a Luxembourg-headquartered satellite joint venture between Vodafone and AST SpaceMobile. The newly planned operations centre will coordinate and manage satellite connectivity for SatCo, supporting mobile network operators (MNOs) across Europe. It aims to extend high-speed mobile broadband to underserved regions while providing vital communications for emergency services and disaster response. The centre will be located near either Munich or Hannover, with the final site to be confirmed following ongoing discussions with relevant authorities.
AST SpaceMobile is developing what it describes as the world’s first and only space-based cellular broadband network capable of connecting directly to standard smartphones, without the need for additional equipment. Designed for both commercial and governmental use, the system is intended to provide a scalable European mobile broadband service, accessible to all citizens, businesses, and public institutions through partnerships with MNOs. Operators from 21 EU member states and other European countries have already shown interest in adopting the service, with commercial rollout expected to begin in 2026.
The planned European satellite constellation will include a sophisticated “command switch” feature to ensure European oversight and security. This will enable the updating of telemetry, tracking, and control (TTC) encryption keys for both the S-Band, which is used for smartphone connections, and the Q/V-Band, which handles communication between satellites and ground stations. The system will also manage the activation and direction of satellite beams over Europe, as well as the modification of encryption keys to secure communications across the continent.
Beyond commercial mobile broadband, the constellation is designed to assist public protection and disaster relief (PPDR) operations. It will deliver reliable broadband-speed connectivity directly to smartphones and other mobile devices used by emergency personnel, even in remote or high-risk environments.
Margherita Della Valle, CEO of Vodafone, said: “SatCo delivers a sovereign satellite solution to the whole of Europe. It will give European operators access to secure and resilient satellite communications, complementing existing terrestrial telecommunications networks. By establishing a satellite constellation in the EU and our principal command centre in Germany, we are ensuring the next frontier of communications infrastructure is firmly embedded in Europe.”
“Together with Vodafone, we are accelerating the arrival of true mobile broadband from space across Europe,” said Abel Avellan, Founder, Chairman and CEO of AST SpaceMobile.
“Germany’s Operations Centre will be the operations hub for our BlueBird constellation in Europe, enabling us to serve millions of users. Alongside our gateways, we are building a robust, secure infrastructure that ensures Europe stays connected with seamless mobile broadband, always.”
The planned satellite network is expected to play a crucial role in advancing a pan-European mobile broadband system, particularly for improving coordination among emergency services during crises.
While much of the system’s operation will be automated, specialist engineers based at the new German centre will monitor and respond to extraterrestrial events such as solar flares and manage terrestrial network issues. The facility will also house one of SatCo’s planned ground-based gateway stations distributed across Europe. These gateways will provide secure backhaul connections between the satellite constellation and existing terrestrial 4G and 5G networks, ensuring users experience uninterrupted connectivity between space-based and ground-based systems.
To formalise its operations, AST SpaceMobile has filed through Germany with the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) for the registration of its new mid-band satellite constellation. This filing is intended to mitigate potential signal interference and ensure smooth coordination with existing telecom infrastructure.
Germany’s central position within Europe and advanced technological ecosystem were key factors in its selection as SatCo’s operational base. The location offers strategic advantages for managing cross-border telecommunications and supporting Europe’s goal of digital sovereignty.
Once operational, the German Satellite Operations Centre will serve as the main hub for managing SatCo’s European activities, ensuring secure, resilient, and high-capacity mobile broadband connectivity for the entire region.
In addition to serving MNOs through national spectrum bands, SatCo has also been put forward as a candidate for access to the EU’s 2GHz Mobile Satellite Services (MSS) spectrum. If successful, this would enable existing mobile operators to deliver a unified, sovereign space-based broadband service directly to consumers across Europe.
By integrating both commercial and emergency response capabilities, the initiative marks a significant milestone in Europe’s telecommunications landscape. It aims to position the continent at the forefront of space-enabled mobile connectivity, ensuring reliable access to communication networks “anytime, anywhere.”
