Vodafone Idea and AST SpaceMobile Partner for Satellite Connectivity in India
Vi (Vodafone Idea) and AST SpaceMobile have announced a strategic partnership to deliver direct-to-smartphone satellite broadband across India’s hardest-to-reach areas. Using AST SpaceMobile’s space-based cellular tech, which recently enabled the world’s first voice and video calls from space using standard phones, the companies aim to complement India’s terrestrial networks and boost coverage in remote regions.
The partnership supports the Digital India vision and will enable services like voice, video, data, and IoT connectivity without requiring any changes to users' devices. Together, the companies will design and roll out a satellite ecosystem tailored to India’s unique needs.