Collaboration to bring Direct-to-Device
satellite broadband connectivity to India, supporting Digital
India’s vision of universal mobile access
Vi (Vodafone Idea), India’s leading telecom service provider,
and AST SpaceMobile, Inc. (“AST SpaceMobile”) (NASDAQ: ASTS), the
company building the first and only space-based cellular broadband
network accessible directly by everyday smartphones, designed for
both commercial and government applications, today 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.
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the full release here:
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AST SpaceMobile and Vodafone Idea
Announce Partnership for Satellite Connectivity in India
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.
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.
Aligned with Digital India’s initiatives, 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 has always been committed to leveraging technology to
connect every Indian and we see satellite communication as a
complement to terrestrial connectivity. As satellite-based mobile
access becomes a reality in India, we are looking forward to
ushering in a new era of seamless and resilient connectivity,” said
Avneesh Khosla Chief Marketing Officer.
"India, with its vast and dynamic telecom market, is the ideal
place to demonstrate how our space-based cellular broadband can
seamlessly complement terrestrial networks,” said Chris Ivory,
Chief Commercial Officer, AST SpaceMobile. “We are not just
expanding coverage; we are breaking down barriers to connectivity,
enabling everyday smartphones to access 4G and 5G directly from
space. Together with Vodafone Idea, we are excited to unlock new
possibilities for emergency response, disaster management,
agriculture, remote learning, and countless other applications that
will benefit from truly ubiquitous mobile broadband."
This collaboration puts India at the forefront of global space
tech innovation and will push development of use cases and
applications for connectivity. Together, Vi and AST SpaceMobile
will also collaborate to develop commercial offerings for diverse
sectors, including consumer, enterprise and IoT.
About Vodafone Idea Ltd.
Vodafone Idea Limited is an Aditya Birla Group and Vodafone
Group partnership. It is amongst India’s leading telecom service
providers. The company holds a large spectrum portfolio including
mid band 5G spectrum in 17 circles and mmWave spectrum in 16
circles. The Company provides Voice and Data services across 2G, 4G
and 5G platforms and is expanding 5G services across 17 circles. To
support the growing demand for data and voice, the Company is
committed to delivering delightful customer experiences and
contributing towards creating a truly ‘Digital India’ by enabling
millions of citizens to connect and build a better tomorrow. The
Company is developing infrastructure to introduce newer and smarter
technologies, making both retail and enterprise customers future
ready with innovative offerings, conveniently accessible through an
ecosystem of digital channels as well as extensive on-ground
presence. The Company’s equity shares are listed on National Stock
Exchange (NSE) and the BSE in India.
About AST SpaceMobile
AST SpaceMobile is building the first and only global cellular
broadband network in space to operate directly with standard,
unmodified mobile devices based on our extensive IP and patent
portfolio, and designed for both commercial and government
applications. Our engineers and space scientists are on a mission
to eliminate the connectivity gaps faced by today’s five billion
mobile subscribers and finally bring broadband to the billions who
remain unconnected. For more information, follow AST SpaceMobile on
YouTube, X (Formerly Twitter), LinkedIn and Facebook. Watch this
video for an overview of the SpaceMobile mission.
Forward-Looking Statements
This communication contains “forward-looking statements” that
are not historical facts, and involve risks and uncertainties that
could cause actual results of AST SpaceMobile to differ materially
from those expected and projected. These forward-looking statements
can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology,
including the words “believes,” “estimates,” “anticipates,”
“expects,” “intends,” “plans,” “may,” “will,” “would,” “potential,”
“projects,” “predicts,” “continue,” or “should,” or, in each case,
their negative or other variations or comparable terminology.
These forward-looking statements involve significant risks and
uncertainties that could cause the actual results to differ
materially from the expected results. Most of these factors are
outside AST SpaceMobile’s control and are difficult to predict.
Factors that could cause such differences include, but are not
limited to: (i) expectations regarding AST SpaceMobile’s strategies
and future financial performance, including AST’s future business
plans or objectives, expected functionality of the SpaceMobile
Service, anticipated timing of the launch of the Block 2 BlueBird
satellites, anticipated demand and acceptance of mobile satellite
services, prospective performance and commercial opportunities and
competitors, the timing of obtaining regulatory approvals, ability
to finance its research and development activities, commercial
partnership acquisition and retention, products and services,
pricing, marketing plans, operating expenses, market trends,
revenues, liquidity, cash flows and uses of cash, capital
expenditures, and AST SpaceMobile’s ability to invest in growth
initiatives; (ii) the negotiation of definitive agreements with
mobile network operators relating to the SpaceMobile Service that
would supersede preliminary agreements and memoranda of
understanding and the ability to enter into commercial agreements
with other parties or government entities; (iii) the ability of AST
SpaceMobile to grow and manage growth profitably and retain its key
employees and AST SpaceMobile’s responses to actions of its
competitors and its ability to effectively compete; (iv) changes in
applicable laws or regulations; (v) the possibility that AST
SpaceMobile may be adversely affected by other economic, business,
and/or competitive factors; (vi) the outcome of any legal
proceedings that may be instituted against AST SpaceMobile; and
(vii) other risks and uncertainties indicated in the Company’s
filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC),
including those in the Risk Factors section of AST SpaceMobile’s
Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 3, 2025.
AST SpaceMobile cautions that the foregoing list of factors is
not exclusive. AST SpaceMobile cautions readers not to place undue
reliance upon any forward-looking statements, which speak only as
of the date made. For information identifying important factors
that could cause actual results to differ materially from those
anticipated in the forward-looking statements, please refer to the
Risk Factors in AST SpaceMobile’s Form 10-K filed with the SEC on
March 3, 2025. AST SpaceMobile’s securities filings can be accessed
on the EDGAR section of the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. Except as
expressly required by applicable securities law, AST SpaceMobile
disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any
forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information,
future events or otherwise.
View source
version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250618623278/en/
Investor Contact:
Scott Wisniewski investors@ast-science.com
Media Contact:
Allison Eva Murphy Ryan 917-547-7289
AstSpaceMobile@allisonpr.com
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