Vodafone Idea Partners AST SpaceMobile For Satellite Broadband In India

Vodafone Idea Ltd. on Wednesday said it has tied up with US-based AST SpaceMobile Inc. to bring satellite-based broadband services directly to smartphones in India. 

The collaboration will combine Vodafone Idea’s nationwide network with AST SpaceMobile’s space-based cellular technology, which allows phones to connect to satellites without needing any special apps or hardware upgrades, the company said in an exchange filing.

The partnership aims to roll out commercial services across sectors such as consumer, enterprise, and the Internet of Things. Under the arrangement, AST SpaceMobile will handle the development, manufacturing, and management of the satellite constellation, while Vodafone Idea will take care of network integration, spectrum operations, and regulatory access on the ground.