Vodafone has become the first company in the world to successfully make a video call via satellite using a standard smartphone. The technology, which allows users to stay connected even in remote areas without mobile coverage, will be available in Europe in late 2025 – 2026. This is reported by Reuters.
During the test call, Vodafone Group CEO Margherita Della Valle took a call from company engineer Rowen Chesmer, who was in the mountains of Wales, where there is no mobile broadband.
«We use the only satellite service that can provide a complete mobile experience for ordinary devices – from voice calls to text messaging and video calls», – Della Valle said.
A new level of mobile communication without additional devices
The technology will allow users in regions without mobile network coverage to make video calls, use the Internet and online communication services. Unlike current satellite services, this will not require additional terminals, special antennas or satellite phones. Smartphones with 4G and 5G support will be able to automatically switch between terrestrial and space networks.
To provide communication, Vodafone uses five BlueBird satellites from AST SpaceMobile, which is its lead investor. Satellites in low Earth orbit are capable of transmitting data at speeds of up to 120 Mbps directly to standard smartphones.
Competition in Satellite Communications
AST SpaceMobile currently operates the first and only mobile broadband network in space that works directly with standard smartphones. This surpasses the capabilities of other low-Earth orbit satellite constellations, which have so far only supported text messaging.
Mobile operators and smartphone manufacturers are actively deploying satellite services to eliminate dead zones. In particular, Apple has been allowing emergency services to send text messages via satellite since the iPhone 14, and Google and Samsung are working on similar features.
At the same time, T-Mobile US and SpaceX are testing Starlink satellites to provide text services, with further expansion to voice calls and data transmission.
«Our goal is – to offer this service to customers as soon as possible», – said Margherita Della Valle. Vodafone plans to become the first operator to offer satellite broadband for smartphones in Europe in 2025-2026.