Vodafone to launch satellite constellation over Europe
Vodafone has announced a deal with AST SpaceMobile to launch a satellite constellation over Europe.
In addition to commercial mobile broadband services, the constellation will support public protection and disaster relief efforts (PPDR). It does this by providing reliable, broadband-speed connectivity from space directly to everyday smartphones and other cellular devices of emergency responders, even in dangerous and challenging environments.
The planned satellite constellation is also expected to contribute to the development of a pan-European mobile broadband system, enhancing the communication and coordination of emergency services during crises and disasters, in line with the EU Critical Communication System (EUCCS) vision.
In particular, the satellites will support frequency bands that are suitable for PPDR radio communications, subject to national decisions and deployment choices.
The planned EU constellation will include a comprehensive ‘command switch’ feature to support European oversight and security. This capability supports updating all telemetry, tracking, and control (TTC) encryption keys for both S-Band (used to connect smartphones from space) and Q/V-Band (used for links between satellites and earth stations).
It also allows for the modification of service encryption keys for communications across the continent, as well as manages the activation, deactivation, and direction of satellite beams in Europe.
“SatCo delivers a sovereign satellite solution to the whole of Europe. It will give European operators access to secure and resilient satellite communications, complementing existing terrestrial telecommunications networks,” said Margherita Della Valle, CEO of Vodafone.
“By establishing a satellite constellation in the EU and our principal command centre in Germany, we are ensuring the next frontier of communications infrastructure is firmly embedded in Europe.”
