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The Innovation Centre is supported by a grant from the Spanish Space Agency and will allow partners to test solutions combining satellite and mobile connectivity
Vodafone has this week announced the creation of a new innovation centre in Málaga, Spain, aimed at better integrating satellite and terrestrial mobile communications.
The centre’s creation is partially financed by a grant from the Spanish Space Agency and includes AST SpaceMobile and the University of Málaga as its key initial partners.
According to Vodafone, the centre “will specifically focus on the design, testing and validation of new open-source hardware, software, and processing chips that can work interchangeably in both space and terrestrial networks”, according to a joint press release.
More specifically, the centre will house a space-to-land gateway, allowing third parties to test services using AST SpaceMobile’s BlueBird satellites.
AST SpaceMobile launched its first five commercial low Earth orbit satellites in September last year. These satellites are designed to integrate with mobile networks, allowing regular smartphone users to access satellite connectivity whenever terrestrial connectivity is lost.
These initial five satellites are set to cover the US, while subsequent launches set to increase coverage across the globe.
AST SpaceMobile already has agreements with 45 mobile network operators worldwide, including Vodafone.
“As society becomes more digital, the need to close coverage gaps increases. Vodafone, together with AST SpaceMobile and the University of Málaga, will forge partnerships with like-minded organisations to build harmonious space and earth networks to meet Europe’s ambitious targets for ubiquitous digital connectivity,” said Alberto Ripepi, Vodafone Group’s Chief Network Officer.
Vodafone says that it expects to commercially launch direct-to-device satellite connectivity services in parts of Europe later this year.
The Centre is expected to open for partners by summer this year.
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