Vodafone Idea and AST SpaceMobile Partner to Bring Satellite Broadband Connectivity to India

Indian telecom service provider Vodafone Idea (Vi) and satellite-based cellular broadband network provider AST SpaceMobile announced a strategic partnership to expand mobile connectivity across India’s unconnected regions. “Collaboration to bring Direct-to-Device satellite broadband connectivity to India, supporting Digital India’s vision of universal mobile access,” Vodafone Idea said in an exchange filing on Wednesday, June 18, 2025.

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Also Read: Airtel Partners with SpaceX to Bring Starlink Internet to its Customers in India

Space-Based Cellular Technology

“India is one of the world’s largest and most dynamic telecom markets, with over 1.1 billion mobile subscribers. While there is widespread 4G and emerging 5G coverage, satellite communication will complement terrestrial connectivity to further expand broadband cellular access in some challenging terrains where deployment of terrestrial mobile infrastructure might be difficult,” the official release said.

“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 specialised software or device support or updates,” Vi said in a statement.

Supporting Digital India’s Vision

In alignment with Digital India’s initiatives, AST SpaceMobile and Vodafone Idea announced that they 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.