Overview
- The operations site is still being negotiated, with a location expected near Munich or Hannover.
- From the German hub, SatCo will steer and secure the European network, managing S‑band handset links, Q/V‑band gateways, cryptographic keys, and dynamic coverage footprints.
- Ground stations across Europe will connect the satellites to national 4G/5G networks, enabling automatic handover between space and terrestrial coverage.
- Vodafone reports interest from mobile operators in 21 EU member states, with the JV aiming for continent‑wide geographic coverage.
- Early trials demonstrated 4G/5G calls and a video call to an unmodified smartphone with downloads over 20 Mbit/s, while the service is also designed to support PPDR in line with EU critical‑communications goals.