Vodafone Portugal Set to Launch D2D Satellite Service with Satellite Connect Europe

Vodafone Portugal has signed an agreement with Satellite Connect Europe, the joint venture between Vodafone and AST SpaceMobile, to launch direct-to-device (D2D) satellite connectivity, with commercial service targeted for the end of 2027.

The partnership is intended to make Vodafone the first mobile operator in Portugal to offer satellite-based mobile broadband using standard 4G and 5G smartphones. Subject to regulatory approvals, the service will extend mobile coverage to areas beyond the reach of terrestrial networks while also improving communications resilience during emergencies such as storms and power outages.

The service will use AST SpaceMobile's BlueBird low Earth orbit satellites to connect directly with existing smartphones, routing traffic through Satellite Connect Europe's ground infrastructure before integrating seamlessly with Vodafone's terrestrial mobile network. Customers will be able to switch automatically between terrestrial and satellite coverage for voice, messaging and broadband data without requiring dedicated satellite handsets or additional hardware.

The agreement represents another step in Vodafone's wider European satellite strategy following its demonstrations of direct-to-device technology, including the first space-based video call conducted over the network in early 2025. As operators increasingly look to integrate satellite connectivity into existing mobile networks, Portugal joins a growing list of markets preparing for commercial D2D services based on 3GPP standards.