Orange has entered into a partnership with AST SpaceMobile and Satellite Connect Europe, a joint venture between AST SpaceMobile and Vodafone, to deliver satellite‑based cellular broadband directly to unmodified smartphones. The collaboration will allow Orange to offer direct‑to‑device connectivity in markets where terrestrial infrastructure is limited, accelerating the rollout of global coverage.
The partnership leverages AST SpaceMobile’s large‑array satellite constellation and Satellite Connect Europe’s network of ground stations and European Mobile Satellite Services licenses. Satellite Connect Europe, formally launched on February 27 2026, is investing in European ground infrastructure to keep data handling and service control within EU jurisdiction, aligning with the EU’s digital sovereignty agenda.
Orange’s multi‑vendor strategy—partnering with providers such as Eutelsat, SES, Starlink, and Telesat—ensures service resilience and market‑specific optimization. By adding AST SpaceMobile to its portfolio, Orange can select the most suitable satellite partner for each region, enhancing coverage reliability during emergencies and in remote areas.
AST SpaceMobile’s financial health supports the partnership. As of December 31 2024, the company held $567.5 million in cash and equivalents and announced a plan to raise $1 billion through convertible senior notes maturing in 2036. The company’s Q3 2025 earnings report (released November 10 2025) showed an EPS of –$0.45 and revenue of $14.7 million, below expectations, while Q4 2024 results (released March 3 2025) reported revenue of $1.92 million and a net loss of $35.86 million. AST SpaceMobile has projected commercial service in early 2026, with revenue ramp‑up expected toward the end of FY26 and an anticipated revenue opportunity of $50 million to $75 million for the second half of 2025.
Demonstrations of the direct‑to‑device technology are scheduled for the second half of 2026 in Romania, where voice, SMS, and data services will be tested on standard smartphones. The partnership positions Orange to offer “always‑available connectivity” in underserved regions, while giving AST SpaceMobile a significant European customer and a stronger foothold in the direct‑to‑device satellite market.
The collaboration aligns with the EU’s focus on digital sovereignty, ensuring that network operations, data handling, and service control remain within European jurisdiction through Satellite Connect Europe’s ground stations. It also places Orange among a growing cohort of European telecom operators pursuing satellite connectivity, competing with initiatives such as the EU’s IRIS2.
Overall, the partnership enhances Orange’s service resilience, expands AST SpaceMobile’s commercial reach, and supports the EU’s sovereignty objectives, marking a strategic milestone for both companies.
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