Vodafone, AST SpaceMobile and the University of Málaga open the doors to Europe’s first space and land-based network lab

Vodafone, AST SpaceMobile and the University of Málaga today opened Europe’s first research laboratory dedicated to developing integrated low earth orbit (LEO) space and land-based mobile broadband services.

The centralised laboratory will streamline the process of testing and validating the hardware and software required for customers to seamlessly connect between satellites and 4G/5G networks using their existing smartphones.

Located at Vodafone’s European innovation centre in the heart of Málaga, Spain, the laboratory is supported by an initial grant from the Spanish Space Agency. Other third-party technology companies and developers are invited to join, fostering a new European ecosystem of combined satellite and earth connectivity solutions.

Working with Meta

The inaugural project within the laboratory will involve a collaborative effort with Meta. This initiative seeks to optimise and ensure the high quality of WhatsApp audio and video calls once the services are launched, guaranteeing excellent communication across hybrid space and terrestrial networks.

Vodafone, AST SpaceMobile, and the University of Málaga will also use a mix of key space and terrestrial network equipment and emulators, that simulate a live environment, to test and validate new open-source hardware, software, chips, and designs developed internally or by third parties. Interoperability between systems operating in both space and terrestrial networks is a principal objective, complemented by initiatives in automation, advanced satellite constellation methodologies, adherence to international standards, coverage optimisation, and effective interference mitigation.

Results fed into SatCo

Results from this work will be fed into SatCo – the new joint venture satellite company of Vodafone and AST SpaceMobile established to offer wholesale direct-to-device mobile broadband satellite services to European mobile operators. The venture has received expressions of interest from network operators in 21 EU member states, as well as in other European markets.

By enabling other operators and vendors to test services through the laboratory, Vodafone, AST SpaceMobile and the University of Málaga are encouraging collaboration across the industry that will drive innovation and deliver universal connectivity faster and more efficiently.

Ubiquitous connectivity

At the opening of the laboratory, Nadia Benabdallah, Director of Network Strategy & Architecture Engineering at Vodafone, said: “Vodafone, together with AST SpaceMobile and the University of Málaga, are building harmonious space and earth networks to close coverage gaps across Europe. This will advance national and European-wide digital sovereignty and deliver ubiquitous broadband coverage for consumers, businesses, and governments.”

Chris Ivory, AST SpaceMobile Chief Commercial Officer, said: “Our collaboration with Vodafone and the University of Málaga is a perfect example of leveraging space technology in the most practical, transformative ways. This innovation hub demonstrates what's possible when visionary partners come together with a shared commitment to eliminate connectivity gaps once and for all.”

Juan Teodomiro López Navarrete, Dean the University of Málaga, added: “This collaboration is a testament to the strength of Málaga’s technological ecosystem, to which the University of Málaga continues contributing decisively with its researchers, students and engineers graduating here.”

The hub builds on Vodafone and AST SpaceMobile’s historic first space mobile video call from a no-coverage area in Europe using such a service on 27 January 2025 and supports the company’s aim to provide ubiquitous mobile coverage for its 355 million customers in 15 countries and its network partners in over 40 more.

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.

About Vodafone Group

everyone.connected

Vodafone is a leading European and African telecoms company.

We serve over 355 million mobile and broadband customers, operating networks in 15 countries with investments in a further five and partners in over 40 more. Our undersea cables transport around a sixth of the world’s internet traffic, and we are developing a new direct-to-mobile satellite communications service to connect areas without coverage. Vodafone runs one of the world’s largest IoT platforms, with 215 million IoT connections globally, and we provide financial services to around 92 million customers across seven African countries – managing more transactions than any other provider.

From the seabed to the stars, Vodafone’s purpose is to keep everyone connected.

For more information, please visit www.vodafone.com follow us on X at @VodafoneGroup or connect with us on LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/company/vodafone.