Vodafone, Orange begin direct-to-satellite smartphone tests in Romania

Vodafone and Orange have launched field trials in Romania of a direct‑to‑device (D2D) satellite service developed by AST SpaceMobile. The technology enables ordinary 4G/5G smartphones to connect directly to low‑Earth‑orbit satellites when terrestrial mobile coverage is unavailable, providing voice calls, SMS and mobile data without any extra hardware.

Vodafone is testing the service through the joint venture Satellite Connect Europe, created with AST SpaceMobile, while Orange has signed its own agreement with the satellite operator. The trials use AST SpaceMobile’s BlueBird satellite constellation, with current tests achieving download speeds of up to 98.9 Mbps and plans for a next‑generation generation offering roughly double that rate. The initiative aims to fill coverage gaps in remote, mountainous or disaster‑prone areas, complementing rather than replacing existing ground‑based networks. The program is part of a broader European rollout that includes the United Kingdom, Ireland, France, Germany and Spain.