Vodafone Idea Ltd. and AST SpaceMobile Inc. have announced a partnership to bring direct-to-device satellite broadband connectivity to India, according to an exchange filing on Wednesday.
This collaboration aims to extend mobile connectivity to regions across the country, aligning with India's "Digital India" vision of universal mobile access, it said.
The partnership leverages Vi's extensive national network and AST SpaceMobile's innovative space-based cellular technology. AST SpaceMobile has developed a system that connects directly to everyday smartphones without requiring specialised software, device support or updates, it said.
Under this partnership, AST SpaceMobile will be responsible for developing, manufacturing and managing the satellite constellation for the SpaceMobile Satellite System. Vi will oversee the terrestrial network integration, operating spectrum and market access in India. This space-based cellular broadband ecosystem is designed to enhance Vi's existing telecom services by providing voice, video, data streaming and internet access.
The company previously achieved a significant milestone by making the first-ever voice and video call from space using a standard mobile phone. While 4G and emerging 5G coverage are widespread in India, satellite communication is expected to complement terrestrial networks, particularly in challenging terrains where traditional mobile infrastructure is difficult to set up.
Both companies will also collaborate on developing commercial offerings for various sectors, including consumers, enterprises and IoT.
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