As a result of the partnership, the telecoms giant can set 4G and 5G base stations more easily and cheaper in areas without prior coverage, avoiding the cost and time of installing long fibre or fixed wireless links.

Vodafone will also use the service to maintain network resilience for emergency and critical online services if fibre links to mobile masts are damaged or flooded.

Vodafone CEO, Margherita Della Valle, 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.”

Amazon Devices & Services, SVP, Panos Panay, added: “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.”

Under the new agreement, Vodafone will use Amazon Leo to link widely spread mobile base stations to its core networks in Germany and other European countries.

Later, Amazon Leo will be rolled out across Africa via Vodacom. The first mobile sites are expected to be connected later this year, with further expansion as Amazon Leo adds more satellites, the company revealed.

Vodacom CEO, Shameel Joosub, concluded: “At Vodacom, we are working every day to bring more people in Africa online and in reach of vital digital services.

“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.”