Overview
- Vodafone signed an agreement to use Amazon’s low Earth orbit satellite network for high-capacity mobile backhaul in hard-to-reach areas.
- Connections are specified at up to 1 Gbps download and 400 Mbps upload to avoid the cost and delay of laying fibre to remote masts.
- Vodafone says Amazon’s constellation has more than 200 satellites in orbit with hundreds more built and ready for launch.
- The company also plans a separate direct-to-smartphone service with AST SpaceMobile, though no launch date has been set.
- Vodafone shares fell about 1% after the announcement as investors weighed rollout costs, execution risks and potential financial impacts.