Vodafone works with AST SpaceMobile to close digital divide

Vodafone is working with US-based AST SpaceMobile to plan a satellite strategy so that customers in remote locations can use their existing mobile devices to access voice and data services. Vodafone has 300 million mobile subscribers across Europe and Africa, along with 28 million fixed broadband customers. Vodafone's Chief Technology Officer Johan Wibergh said that the company has invested in and partnered with AST SpaceMobile with the aim of closing vast coverage gaps using a planned network of satellites. “The great innovation with AST SpaceMobile is that your phone will automatically discover the satellite, and your phone will automatically connect to the satellite, and you will be connected to the internet,” said Wibergh. Vodafone has almost 200,000 cell towers across its coverage area. But it’s struggled to provide service to rural areas with rough terrain and no electricity grid. The carrier started talking to AST SpaceMobile in 2018 about the possibility of bridging the digital divide with satellites.