Ukraine's second-largest mobile operator VF Ukraine (Vodafone Ukraine, VFU) has signed a memorandum of understanding on deploying a space-based cellular broadband network in Ukraine with AST SpaceMobile Inc. (U.S.) — a competitor of SpaceX, which has been working with Ukraine's largest telecom operator Kyivstar since last year.

"Our goal is to provide access to all internet capabilities and quality voice communication even in the most remote corners of the country under any circumstances," Vodafone Ukraine CEO Olha Ustynova said in a press release Monday from the Mobile World Congress (MWC) Barcelona, where the memorandum was signed.

The AST SpaceMobile service allows smartphones to connect directly to internet and voice services via satellites. The company's cooperation with mobile operators focuses on areas such as high-speed LEO internet and the ability to make real-time calls with minimal delay directly from ordinary smartphones — without special terminals or apps.

Other areas include creating a backup communication layer that will provide Ukrainians with network access under any ground conditions, as well as automatic switching between terrestrial base stations and LEO satellites for standard 3GPP-enabled devices, the release states.

The companies will work through all stages of cooperation, particularly from marketing strategy and radio frequency use to improving customer experience.

Meanwhile, Kyivstar President and CEO Oleksandr Komarov said SpaceX President Gwynne Shotwell spoke at MWC Barcelona about the case of implementing Starlink Direct to Cell technology in record time in Ukraine with Kyivstar.

As previously reported, Vodafone Ukraine increased unconsolidated net profit 20.6% in the third quarter of this year compared to the same period last year — to UAH 1.373 billion.