Satellite backhaul boosts 4G and 5G expansion

Vodafone Group and Amazon have entered into an agreement to use Amazon Leo, Amazon’s low Earth orbit satellite broadband network, to connect additional 4G and 5G mobile sites in remote regions across Europe and Africa, improving coverage for customers with limited connectivity

Through Amazon Leo, Vodafone will be able to deploy 4G and 5G base stations in previously unserved areas more quickly and cost-effectively, avoiding the delays and expense associated with long fibre or fixed wireless backhaul links. The solution is particularly suited to rural and hard-to-reach locations. It will also strengthen network resilience by providing satellite backhaul to maintain emergency and critical services if fibre connections to mobile masts are disrupted, including during flooding.

Amazon Leo operates via a constellation of thousands of satellites, enabling telecom providers to expand network infrastructure using satellite connectivity. The system supports high-speed cell site backhaul of up to 1 Gbps download and 400 Mbps upload.

Under the agreement, Vodafone will initially connect dispersed mobile base stations in Germany and other European markets to its core networks using Amazon Leo. The rollout will later extend across Africa through Vodacom Group. The first sites are expected to go live in 2026, with expansion aligned to the continued build-out of the satellite constellation.

Margherita Della Valle, Vodafone group CEO, said, “Vodafone is looking to space to connect more mobile base stations to our core network, and strengthen resilience even in the most challenging environments. Amazon Leo’s new satellite constellation supports our ambition to give all Vodafone customers reliable and high-speed connectivity, wherever they are.”

Panos Panay, senior vice-president of Amazon devices & services, said, “Connectivity shouldn’t depend on where you live. With Amazon Leo, we’re helping bring fast, reliable broadband to places traditional infrastructure can’t easily reach — from rural communities to critical emergency networks. Partnering with Vodafone and Vodacom is an important step toward connecting millions more people across Europe and Africa and expanding access to the digital services that power modern life.”

“At Vodacom, we are working every day to bring more people in Africa online and in reach of vital digital services,” said Shameel Joosub, CEO of Vodacom Group. “Partnering with Amazon Leo enables us to swiftly deploy mobile connectivity in isolated areas, allowing us to efficiently expand our reach to more customers throughout the African continent.”

The partnership also supports Vodafone’s objective to expand advanced 5G services in Europe and aligns with Vodacom’s Vision 2030 goals, which include reaching 260 million customers, growing financial services and increasing smartphone penetration to 75% by 2030.

Amazon Leo currently has more than 200 satellites in orbit, with hundreds more prepared for launch. An enterprise preview began in November 2025, with broader availability planned as coverage and capacity increase.