VodafoneThree to start customers trials on new satellite service in the summer
The upcoming trials of the direct-to-device satellite connectivity builds upon Vodafone's first-ever video call over satellite, from an area with no terrestrial mobile coverage, a milestone that took place in January 2025.
VodafoneThree will start customer trials of its satellite service in summer 2026, using the only technology able to offer superior direct-to-device satellite connectivity capable of data, voice, and SMS. The activity is the first step to introducing strong and reliable satellite coverage to consumers, businesses and public services in remote and hard-to-reach areas across the UK.
The trials follow a historic first in January 2025, when Vodafone made the first-ever video call connected directly to a Low Earth Orbit (LEO) Bluebird satellite operated by AST Space Mobile from a location in rural Wales where there are no masts to provide mobile signal.
The news follows the announcement from Satellite Connect Europe – service provider of open access direct-to-device (D2D) satellite connectivity – that VodafoneThree is the first UK customer to trial its services. Headquartered in Luxembourg, and a joint venture between Vodafone Group and AST SpaceMobile, Satellite Connect Europe will drive the deployment of five Europe-based ground stations as well as support Vodafone’s wider European objectives to ensure next-generation satellite broadband services comply with relevant spectrum legislation and frameworks.
Andrea Dona, Chief Network Officer, VodafoneThree said “This partnership with Satellite Connect Europe supports our ambition to deliver direct-to-device satellite connectivity capable of data, voice, and SMS to our customers, leading to the elimination of coverage gaps in hard-to-reach and remote areas, as well as supporting the closing of the digital divide. At VodafoneThree, we are absolutely committed to connecting our customers in every nation, in every community, and in every corner of the UK.”
The activity is part of a wider UK £11 billion investment programme, announced by VodafoneThree in June 2025 as part of the merger between Vodafone UK and Three UK. This includes a commitment to roll out 5G Standalone (5G SA) to 99% of the UK population by 2030, extending further to 99.96% by 2034.
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