New Zealand-based telecoms firm 2degrees has secured a license for its new satellite ground station, which will support the company’s planned direct-to-cell satellite service.

Company CEO Mark Callander this week said that Radio Spectrum Management, the arm of the government that manages spectrum, granted the company a license allowing it to operate its ground station in Marton, and connect to AST SpaceMobile satellites as they pass overhead.

“This is incredibly exciting for us, our ground station is nearing completion, and the 2degrees teams are looking forward to testing the service soon,” he said.

Launched in 2001, 2degrees is New Zealand’s third-largest wireless carrier and counts Macquarie Asset Management and Aware Super as major shareholders.

The company shut down its 3G network in late 2025/early 2026.

The company first announced plans to partner with AST last year. The direct-to-cell 4G LTE and 5G cellular broadband service is set to launch later this year.

Plans for a dedicated 2degrees satellite ground station in New Zealand were announced at the same time.

"This partnership will extend our network reach and provide customers connectivity in places that our cellular network doesn’t serve. Our goal is to provide reliable mobile Internet connectivity beyond the limits of existing infrastructure,” Callander said at the time.

Work started on the ground station earlier this year, with the installation of four antennas completed over the summer.

It also has a partnership with rival direct-to-cell firm Lynk Global, announced back in 2023.

Marton is a town in the Rangitikei district of the Manawatū-Whanganui region of New Zealand's North Island.

2degrees has previously deployed a satellite antenna on a building in the Freemans Bay area of Auckland, reportedly for Amazon Leo.

Radio Spectrum Management, part of the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment, is in charge of the radio spectrum and radio-related regulations in New Zealand.