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AST SpaceMobile Expands Collaboration with Operators to Advance Satellite Broadband in Europe

AST SpaceMobile announced the expansion of activities in collaboration with leading mobile network operators to accelerate space-based cellular broadband connectivity across Europe. Network Integration testing activities, subject to regulatory approvals, are underway and advancing across the United Kingdom, Ireland, Romania, France, the Czech Republic, Germany, Spain, and Ukraine in collaboration with Vodafone, Orange, Telefonica, Deutsche Telekom, and Vodafone Ukraine, leveraging the European-wide gateway infrastructure being rolled out by Satellite Connect Europe. The bespoke programs are designed to accelerate the seamless integration of AST SpaceMobile's space-based cellular broadband service with existing terrestrial mobile networks using standard, unmodified smartphones. The European campaign builds on AST SpaceMobile's growing commercial momentum worldwide as the company advances deployment of its BlueBird satellite constellation and works with nearly 60 mobile network operators globally, representing over 3 billion existing subscribers.

InfraVia, Liberty Global and Telefonica Acquire Substantial Group

InfraVia, Liberty Global (LBTYA) and Telefonica (TEF) have announced an agreement to acquire Substantial Group. Founded in 2019, Substantial Group, owned by investors Advencap, DigitalBridge and Soho Square Capital, is the UK's second largest alternative fibre provider, expected to have more than 3.4 million fibre premises and over 500,000 customers by completion. The acquisition will be made by the parties' joint venture company, nexfibre, and will unlock GBP 3.5 billion of investment in the UK market. Infravia, Liberty Global and Telefonica are committing GBP 1B in new net funding for nexfibre to fund the transaction - made up of GBP 850m from Infravia and GBP 150M jointly from Liberty Global and Telefonica, with Virgin Media O2 committing traffic on 4.6m overlapping and adjacent homes. In a joint statement, Vincent Levita, Founder & CEO, InfraVia Capital Partners, Mike Fries, Chairman & CEO, Liberty Global and Marc Murtra, Chairman & CEO, Telefonica said: "By bringing our strengths together, we are creating a scaled and financially secure wholesale fibre challenger to BT Openreach - one that will enhance competition, strengthen the UK's digital infrastructure and deliver greater choice and quality for consumers and businesses. This transaction unlocks GBP 3.5 billion in international investment and reflects our shared confidence in the UK as a highly attractive market for long-term investment, supported by the government's economic policies. We are committed to accelerating full-fibre coverage and helping ensure the UK remains competitive and ready for the future."

Millicom Interested in Bidding for Telefonica's Chilean Unit

Millicom (TIGO) has expressed interest in bidding for Telefonica's (TEF) Chilean unit, Carolina Gonzalez and Rodrigo Orihuela of Bloomberg reports, citing people familiar with the matter. Telefonica has been seeking bids for its Chile unit since last year, according to Bloomberg.