Vodafone said Monday it had signed an agreement with Amazon’s low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite network to connect 4G and 5G mobile masts in remote parts of Europe and Africa, in a move aimed at expanding coverage and reducing infrastructure costs.
The British telecoms group said the satellite service would provide backhaul connectivity of up to one gigabit per second (Gbps) for downloads and 400 megabits per second (Mbps) for uploads. The links will connect Vodafone’s core network to base stations in hard-to-reach areas where laying fibre optic cables is expensive or logistically challenging.
Backhaul refers to the connection between local mobile masts and the broader telecommunications network. In rural and isolated regions including mountainous terrain, sparsely populated countryside and areas with limited road access deploying fibre can require significant capital investment and lengthy construction timelines. Satellite connectivity offers a faster alternative.
Vodafone said it would begin deploying the LEO satellite connections in Germany and other European markets later this year. The rollout will then be progressively extended across Africa through its majority-owned subsidiary, Vodacom, which operates in several countries on the continent.
The company did not disclose financial details of the agreement.
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The partnership reflects a broader shift in the telecommunications sector, where operators are increasingly turning to low Earth orbit satellite constellations to complement terrestrial networks. Unlike traditional geostationary satellites, which orbit at much higher altitudes and can suffer from latency issues, LEO satellites operate closer to Earth, allowing for faster data transmission and improved performance for broadband services.
According to Vodafone, Amazon’s LEO network currently has more than 200 satellites in orbit, with hundreds more built and ready for launch. The growing constellation is designed to deliver high-speed internet connectivity globally, including in regions where fixed broadband infrastructure remains limited.
Telecom operators in Europe and Africa have faced mounting pressure to expand 4G and 5G coverage beyond urban centres, where returns on investment are typically stronger. Governments and regulators have also set coverage obligations tied to spectrum licences, pushing companies to find cost-effective ways to serve rural communities.
In Africa, where large parts of the population still lack reliable internet access, satellite-enabled backhaul could help accelerate digital inclusion efforts. Industry analysts say improved connectivity can support economic development by enabling access to digital financial services, online education, e-commerce and telemedicine.
Vodafone separately said it plans to offer direct satellite connectivity to consumers using standard smartphones through its partnership with US-based AST SpaceMobile. That service would allow mobile devices to connect directly to satellites without the need for specialised equipment. However, the company has not announced a launch date.
The agreement with Amazon underscores intensifying competition in the satellite broadband market, as technology groups and telecom operators seek to bridge connectivity gaps and strengthen network resilience. Satellite backhaul can also serve as a backup in emergencies, natural disasters or network outages, when terrestrial infrastructure is disrupted.
For Vodafone, the move forms part of a broader strategy to modernise its network and manage capital expenditure more efficiently while extending coverage across its footprint.
As demand for mobile data continues to grow, the integration of satellite and terrestrial networks is increasingly viewed as a key element in delivering seamless connectivity across both developed and emerging markets.
