Orange partners with AST SpaceMobile and Satellite Connect Europe on Direct-to-Device (D2D) satellite connectivity, starting with demonstrations in Romania

• Agreements have been signed with AST SpaceMobile and Satellite Connect Europe, a European joint venture between AST SpaceMobile and Vodafone, related to a mutual collaboration on Direct-to-Device technology in relevant Orange markets.
• Orange was the first European telecom operator to launch a Direct-to-Device commercial service with “Message Satellite” in France.
• Orange continues to expand its strategy now with AST SpaceMobile to include Direct-to-Device technology, enhancing the user experience, as an extension to its best-in-class mobile network coverage.
• A demonstration in Romania covering voice, SMS and data will be conducted in the second half of 2026.

Orange announces the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding with AST SpaceMobile and Satellite Connect Europe, related to collaboration on Direct-to-Device technology in relevant Orange markets. Through this initiative, Orange intends to complement its terrestrial network coverage even in the most remote areas and to enhance its service resilience.

In particular, Orange and Satellite Connect Europe will conduct Direct-to-Device (D2D) satellite connectivity demonstrations in Romania focusing on voice, SMS and data in the second half of 2026. In addition, the collaboration includes exploring specific measures to support European security requirements and studying the integration into a Core Network managed by Orange.

The agreement fully aligns with Orange's new strategic plan, Trust the future, which places trust at the core of the Group's services and operating model. Orange aims to provide always-available connectivity to its customers through the complementarity of Orange's best-in-class terrestrial (mobile and broadband) networks, and satellite connectivity. This has already been demonstrated in France with the commercial launch of the "Satellite Message" offer for SMS exchange in December 2025 - a first in Europe for a telecom operator.

Building on 60 years of experience in the satellite sector, Orange continues to collaborate with the entire satellite ecosystem, covering all orbits. The Group plays a pivotal role in the provision of satellite services across consumer, enterprise and wholesale markets. In addition, Orange offers its services to satellite operators, thanks to its teleports and gateways, notably the Bercenay-en-Othe facility in France, which is Tier-4 certified by the World Teleport Association. Orange meets the interconnection needs of satellite operators by providing them with terrestrial segments or integrating their gateways.

Christel Heydemann, Chief Executive Officer of Orange, declared “Direct-to-Device satellite connectivity is an essential complement to our mobile networks, ensuring 100% connectivity for our customers wherever they are located. I am delighted to announce today the launch of tests in Romania with AST SpaceMobile through Satellite Connect Europe joint venture. As part of our Trust the future strategy, we are committed to providing trusted, secure solutions that comply with European regulations.”

Abel Avellan, Founder, Chairman, and CEO of AST SpaceMobile, added “Together with Orange, we are advancing space-based cellular broadband to support seamless connectivity for everyday smartphones. By leveraging our purpose-built satellite network, this initiative marks meaningful progress toward expanding resilient coverage across more geographies and eliminating coverage gaps to extend mobile broadband everywhere.”

Meredith Sharples, Satellite Connect Europe Managing Director, commented "Satellite Connect Europe is here to connect European operators - to complement rather than compete - and we look forward to working with Orange to demonstrate the power of this direct-to-device satellite technology. This MoU is another recognition of the need for a satellite provider that is focused on European MNOs. We are proud to support the Orange ambition to deliver always-available connectivity."