Vodafone, AST SpaceMobile form base for EU satellite constellation | Computer Weekly

"AST SpaceMobile is building "the first and only" space-based cellular broadband network directly accessible by everyday smartphones, designed for both commercial and government applications. The company said SatCo aims to provide a scalable European satellite mobile broadband service for use by MNOs to benefit all European citizens, businesses and public sector organisations. The planned EU constellation will include a chat is described as a "comprehensive" command switch feature to support European oversight and security."

"This capability will support 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. In addition to commercial mobile broadband, the constellation will support public protection and disaster relief efforts (PPDR)."

Vodafone and AST SpaceMobile established SatCo to operate a European satellite mobile broadband service directly to everyday smartphones. AST SpaceMobile is building "the first and only" space-based cellular broadband network for commercial and government applications. SatCo aims to provide a scalable service for mobile network operators to benefit European citizens, businesses and public sector organisations. The planned EU constellation includes a "comprehensive" command switch to enable European oversight and security. That capability supports updating telemetry, tracking and control (TTC) encryption keys for S-Band and Q/V-Band, modifies service encryption keys, and manages activation, deactivation and steering of satellite beams across Europe. The constellation will also support public protection and disaster relief by providing broadband-speed connectivity directly to responders' smartphones. SatCo plans a command centre in Germany, near Munich or Hannover, to complement terrestrial networks and maintain secure connectivity across Europe.

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