AST SpaceMobile and Vodafone announce strategic partnership

Vi, or Vodafone Idea, and AST SpaceMobile (ASTS) announced a strategic partnership to expand mobile connectivity across India’s unconnected regions. AST SpaceMobile made history by placing the first ever voice and video calls from space using standard mobile phone, a milestone that demonstrates the real-world viability of its advanced technology. India is one of the world’s largest and most dynamic telecom markets, with over 1.1B mobile subscribers. This partnership will bring together Vi’s robust national network with AST SpaceMobile’s revolutionary space-based cellular technology, which connects directly to everyday smartphones without the need of any specialized software or device support or updates. AST SpaceMobile and Vodafone Idea will collaborate on the SpaceMobile Satellite System. This space-based cellular broadband ecosystem will be designed to expand Vi’s telecom services of terrestrial connectivity, providing voice, video, data streaming, and internet access. It will encompass the design, implementation, and launch of this system, wherein AST SpaceMobile will develop, manufacture, and manage the satellite constellation, and Vi will oversee terrestrial network integration, operating spectrum, and market access. Vi is an Aditya Birla Group and Vodafone Group (VOD) partnership.