What is the goal of Satellite Connect Europe?

Satellite Connect Europe aims to establish a Europe-based satellite constellation for commercial and government satellite-to-smartphone connectivity applications.

Where will Orange’s satellite connectivity demonstrations take place?

Demonstrations covering voice, SMS and data are planned for Romania in late 2026.

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Finance

Orange Partners With Ast SpaceMobile, Vodafone on Satellite Connectivity

Q: What partnership did Orange announce?

Orange announced a partnership with AST SpaceMobile and Satellite Connect Europe, a joint venture between AST and Vodafone, to boost direct-to-cell satellite connectivity.

Q: Which alternative satellite networks are mentioned as competitors?

Rivals such as Elon Musk's Starlink and Amazon's upcoming low Earth orbit network are mentioned.

Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®

Posted on March 2, 2026

2 min read

Last updated: April 2, 2026

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Orange partners with AST SpaceMobile, Vodafone on satellite connectivity - Finance news and analysis from Global Banking & Finance Review

Orange Expands Satellite-to-Mobile Connectivity with New Partnerships

March 2 (Reuters) - French telecommunications leader Orange on Monday announced a partnership with AST SpaceMobile and Satellite Connect Europe, a joint venture between AST and Vodafone, to boost direct-to-cell connectivity.

Direct-to-Device Satellite Services

Direct-to-device satellite services allow standard smartphones to connect to satellites without specialized hardware, which is particularly valuable in markets where terrestrial infrastructure remains patchy.

Planned Demonstrations and Service Rollout

Demonstrations covering voice, SMS and data are planned in Romania for late 2026, Orange said.

Orange’s Multi-Vendor Strategy

The partnership adds AST to Orange's growing roster of satellite providers that also include European Eutelsat and SES, Elon Musk's Starlink and Canada's Telesat, as the French telecom operator pursues a deliberate multi-vendor approach.

Market Expansion and Partner Selection

A company spokesperson told Reuters that Orange aimed to expand satellite-to-smartphone operations across Europe and its African markets, selecting the most suitable partner for each market based on local conditions including satellite coverage, ground gateway availability and smartphone penetration rates.

Ensuring Service Resilience

This multi-provider approach also ensures service resilience during emergencies, Orange said.

Competitive Landscape Among European Telecom Operators

European telecom operators are racing to offer satellite connectivity, with companies such as Spain's Telefonica or Ukraine's Kyivstar also announcing partnerships with satellite firms.

Satellite Connect Europe’s Ambitions

Satellite Connect Europe, formed last November, aims to establish a Europe-based satellite constellation with an operational centre in Germany, targeting both commercial and government satellite-to-smartphone connectivity applications.

Advocacy for European Satellite Sovereignty

Orange CEO Christel Heydemann has been a vocal advocate for European satellite sovereignty, calling for competitiveness in networks like the European Union's planned IRIS2 initiative versus rivals such as Elon Musk's Starlink and Amazon's upcoming low Earth orbit network.

(aiReporting by Leo Marchandon in Gdansk, editing by Milla Nissi-Prussak)

Orange Partners With Ast SpaceMobile, Vodafone on Satellite Connectivity

Quick Summary

Orange adds AST SpaceMobile to growing roster of satellite-to-mobile partners