Vodafone Ukraine signs memorandum with AST SpaceMobile on connecting smartphones to Internet via satellites

MOSCOW. March 3 (Interfax) - Vodafone Ukraine (VFU), the second largest Ukrainian mobile operator, has signed a memorandum of understanding with AST SpaceMobile Inc. (United States) on deploying a space-based cellular broadband network in Ukraine, Ukrainian media quoted Vodafone Ukraine CEO Olga Ustinova as saying in a press release from the Mobile World Congress (MWC) Barcelona, where the memorandum was signed.

AST SpaceMobile Inc. is a competitor of SpaceX, which has been working with Ukraine's largest telecom operator Kyivstar since last year.

The AST SpaceMobile service allows smartphones to connect directly to the Internet and voice services via satellites. The company's cooperation with mobile operators focuses on areas such as high-speed LEO Internet service and the capability to make real-time phone calls with minimal delay directly from ordinary smartphones without any special terminals or apps.

Other areas include creating a backup communication layer that will provide Ukrainians with network access in any conditions on the ground, as well as automatic switching between terrestrial base stations and LEO satellites for standard 3GPP-enabled devices, according to the press release.

As reported, Vodafone Ukraine's unconsolidated net profit grew 20.6% to UAH 1.373 billion in Q3 2025.

Vodafone Ukraine increased its net profit by 10.7% to UAH 3.447 billion and revenue by 13.3% to UAH 19.03 billion in January-September 2025.

According to information on its website, AST SpaceMobile is building a space-based cellular broadband network accessible directly by standard, unmodified mobile phones. The company cooperates with telecom operators Verizon, Vodafone and AT&T. The company has successfully launched several satellites and plans to start providing commercial services this year, simultaneously enlarging its satellite constellation. The market cap of AST SpaceMobile is around $31.7 billion.