SatCo aims to provide scalable satellite mobile broadband services across Europe for use by mobile network operators serving citizens, businesses, and public sector organizations. Operators in 21 European Union member states and several non-EU countries have already shown interest, with commercial launch targeted for 2026.
The planned European satellite constellation will include an advanced “command switch” system to ensure oversight and security. This feature will enable updates to telemetry, tracking, and control encryption keys for both S-Band, which connects smartphones directly from space, and Q/V-Band, which links satellites with ground stations. It will also manage encryption for communications across the continent and regulate satellite beam activation and direction within Europe.
Beyond commercial services, the constellation will support public protection and disaster relief operations. It will provide reliable, high-speed broadband directly from space to smartphones and other cellular devices used by emergency responders, ensuring connectivity even in areas where terrestrial networks are disrupted. The system aligns with the EU’s Critical Communication System vision and will support suitable frequency bands for public protection and disaster response, subject to national decisions and deployment strategies.
While the system will feature high levels of automation, engineers at the Operations Centre will oversee space-related events such as solar flares and manage any technical issues. The facility will also host one of SatCo’s ground-based gateway stations in Europe, providing secure backhaul connections between the satellite network and terrestrial 4G/5G systems. This integration will allow seamless switching between space-based and ground-based coverage, maintaining continuous connectivity.
AST SpaceMobile has filed the necessary applications with the International Telecommunication Union through Germany to manage signal coordination and prevent interference, ensuring smooth integration with existing telecom networks. Germany’s central location in Europe provides an ideal base for SatCo to complement terrestrial mobile networks and maintain secure, consistent connections across the continent.
In addition to serving all EU mobile network operators through their national spectrum bands, SatCo is seeking access to the EU 2GHz Mobile Satellite Services spectrum. This would enable operators to deliver a fully pan-European, space-based broadband service.
Vodafone Group CEO Margherita Della Valle 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.”
