Vodafone satellite connectivity took center stage at MWC 2026 in Barcelona, as Vodafone Group CEO Margherita Della Valle called on the mobile industry to establish coordinated rules for satellite service deployment. Della Valle delivered the opening keynote on March 2, 2026, outlining a framework she said the industry urgently needs.
Safety and Security Rules Must Come First
Della Valle argued that the industry does not lack ideas, engineers, or funding. Instead, she said the primary need is a clear regulatory framework. “What we do need, first and foremost, is clear safety and security rules for satellite communications so that our customers are protected, and individual operators cannot independently accept excessive risks, potentially breaking the trust for the whole industry,” Della Valle said.
“We need to push for international collaboration on these rules as far as we possibly can. We have the technology companies, we have the investors and the policy makers. Let us work together to avoid a wild west in the sky disrupting the earth instead of enriching it.”
Margherita Della Valle, CEO, Vodafone Group
Vodafone Satellite Connectivity Initiative Gains European Partners
Della Valle also said that operators representing ten European markets have agreed to collaborate on satellite connectivity through the Satellite Connect Europe initiative. Major operators including Orange and Telefonica confirmed their participation. The initiative uses AST SpaceMobile satellites to extend coverage across the continent.
“This new frontier in communication is both exciting and possible,” Della Valle stated. “We need to work together to connect everyone and everything, everywhere, all of the time, from the seabed all the way up to the stars.”
Deutsche Telekom Pursues Separate Starlink Partnership
Meanwhile, Deutsche Telekom separately stated plans to expand its network coverage through direct telecommunications connectivity in partnership with Starlink. The announcement came alongside the broader Satellite Connect Europe news, though Deutsche Telekom is not part of that specific initiative. The move signals growing competition among European carriers to secure satellite partnerships.
Industry Context and Broader Implications
The push for coordinated satellite rules reflects wider concerns about spectrum management and orbital congestion. As mobile operators increasingly turn to low-Earth orbit satellites to fill coverage gaps, the absence of shared standards poses operational and reputational risks. Della Valle’s remarks suggest that Vodafone views regulatory alignment as a prerequisite for sustainable growth in this segment.
Furthermore, the Satellite Connect Europe initiative represents a notable shift toward collective action among European carriers. In addition to expanding rural and maritime coverage, the partnership with AST SpaceMobile could accelerate the rollout of direct-to-device mobile services across underserved regions. Analysts expect similar coalitions to form in other regions as satellite telecom competition intensifies globally.