Rendering of five BlueBird satellites from AST SpaceMobile unfolded in space. Photo: AST SpaceMobile

AST SpaceMobile has signed a commercial agreement with its longtime investor Vodafone Group that lasts through 2034. This agreement establishes the framework for Vodafone to offer space-based cellular broadband connectivity in its home markets and for other operators through its partner markets program.

Vodafone has also placed an order for its first Block 1 BlueBird gateway. When Vodafone customers connect their smartphones to AST SpaceMobile satellites, the satellites will route data to the gateway, which will then connect to Vodafone’s existing network infrastructure and route the broadband data to users’ devices, and access apps and the internet. 

AST SpaceMobile announced the agreement on Dec. 9, financial terms were not disclosed. 

Vodafone provides telecommunication services in Europe and Africa. The telco has been an investor in AST SpaceMobile since 2018, and made an investment earlier this year alongside Google and AT&T. Vodafone made a $25 million initial commitment with the January investment. The company has been a key development partner and was part of demonstrations with the BlueWalker 3 test satellite. 

AST SpaceMobile also has commercial agreements with AT&T, $100 million with Verizon, and others.