Vodafone, AST and the University of Málaga Launch Europe’s First Space–Terrestrial Network Lab
Vodafone, AST SpaceMobile, and the University of Málaga have opened Europe’s first research laboratory dedicated to developing and testing integrated low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite and terrestrial 4G/5G networks for direct-to-device mobile broadband.
Located at Vodafone’s European Innovation Centre in Málaga, Spain, the lab will accelerate the testing and validation of hardware and software that enable seamless switching between satellite and land-based mobile networks — using standard smartphones. The initiative has received initial funding from the Spanish Space Agency and is open to third-party technology companies and developers, fostering a collaborative European ecosystem for hybrid connectivity.
Key focus areas
Interoperability testing across space and terrestrial networks
Automation and advanced constellation methodologies
Open-source hardware, software, and chip validation
Coverage optimization and interference mitigation
Integration with open network standards
The lab’s inaugural project will see Vodafone, AST SpaceMobile, and Meta collaborate to optimize WhatsApp audio and video performance across hybrid space–terrestrial connections, ensuring high-quality communications once commercial services are launched.
Outcomes from the lab’s research will directly inform SatCo, the joint venture between Vodafone and AST SpaceMobile created to provide wholesale direct-to-device mobile broadband services for European operators. SatCo has already received expressions of interest from 21 EU member states and additional European markets.
The Málaga hub builds on Vodafone and AST SpaceMobile’s historic first space-based mobile video call in Europe made in January 2025, marking another step toward universal mobile coverage across Vodafone’s 15 countries and partner networks in 45 more.