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Vi and AST SpaceMobile Announce Partnership for Satellite Connectivity in India

Vodafone Idea (Vi), India’s leading telecom service provider, and AST SpaceMobile, the company building the first and only space-based cellular broadband network, have announced a strategic partnership to expand mobile connectivity across India’s unconnected regions. The partnership aims to bring Direct-to-Device satellite broadband connectivity to India, supporting Digital India’s vision of universal mobile access. The space-based cellular broadband ecosystem will be designed to expand Vi's telecom services of terrestrial connectivity, providing voice, video, data streaming, and internet access.

• Vi and AST SpaceMobile to bring Direct-to-Device satellite broadband connectivity to India
• Partnership to support Digital India’s vision of universal mobile access
• SpaceMobile Satellite System to complement terrestrial connectivity in challenging terrains
• Collaboration to develop space-based cellular broadband ecosystem for voice, video, data streaming, and internet access
• AST SpaceMobile to develop, manufacture, and manage the satellite constellation, Vi to oversee terrestrial network integration, operating spectrum, and market access