New Delhi: Vodafone Idea (Vi) has signed a strategic partnership with the US-based AST SpaceMobile to bring direct-to-cell satellite-based mobile broadband technology services to all parts of India. This is the third and last major player in the private telecom to join the space-based communication race after Airtel and Jio signed deals with Elon Musk’s Starlink earlier. The alliance will enhance mobile broadband services to be available in the rural and remote regions which do not have the old cellular networks.

Vi and AST SpaceMobile will run the terrestrial network integration, spectrum access, and market access under the agreement, with AST SpaceMobile developing and operating the satellite system. Vi anticipates the partnership will unlock opportunities in the fields of emergency response, disaster management, agriculture, etc., as well as serve the goal of the government in its Digital India initiative.

Vi enters the Satcom race

Vi is becoming a part of the Satcom ecosystem in India along with Airtel-supported Eutelsat OneWeb and Jio Satellite Communications Ltd. A Global Mobile Personal Communication by Satellite (GMPCS) services licence is currently awaited by the company to start providing satellite-based broadband. This month, Starlink has joined the ranks of other companies that received this licence after months of approvals.

AST’s expanding satellite network

Last year AST SpaceMobile put five satellites into space as part of the BlueBird 1-5 mission and intends to launch up to 60 more in the coming nine months. The company has a small coverage in the US and is in the process of covering greater bandwidth and coverage.

Vi noted that the direct-to-device technology would enable citizens to have mobile internet connectivity in the areas where there are no conventional towers. This will particularly be beneficial to the remote communities and assist in improving disaster response capacity, and it will also be in line with the overall goal of digital inclusion in India.