Vodafone, a British cellular provider, recently said that it has made a “historic first space mobile video call from a remote area of Wales.” Later this year, users should be able to access the innovative service. In a week that has already been jam-packed with iPhone news about satellites, this most recent development takes precedence.
Vodafone claims to have tested a method that would provide mobile broadband service to 4G and 5G phones without the need for specialised satellite gear by making what it terms “the world’s first” satellite video call using a typical smartphone. Before the end of 2025, the service is anticipated to debut in Europe utilizing satellites from SpaceX competitor AST SpaceMobile.
Additionally, AT&T and Verizon have agreements with AST SpaceMobile, a company located in Texas, to offer satellite-to-smartphone services throughout the United States. Since the FCC has given the business permission to start testing its US-based coverage for AT&T this spring, a complete deployment is probably going to be delayed compared to Europe.
Last year, SpaceX used “unmodified mobile phones” to showcase its own Starlink satellite-based video conversation between two US-based employees. Unlike SpaceX, Vodafone made the call from a remote location that doesn’t seem to have mobile connectivity, so their attempt might not be a world-first.
Although satellite services are becoming more and more popular, many of them still require specialized technology. “Users may enjoy complete mobile broadband access without the requirement for a costly satellite phone, specialised dish, or terminal, unlike today’s satellite-based services. They will be able to use regular smartphones to automatically transition between space-based and ground-based networks thanks to the service that replicates the experience of current 4G and 5G mobile networks, according to Vodafone.
Vodafone CEO Margherita Della Valle received a call for the firm’s demonstration from an engineer (and, adorably, his dog) in an undisclosed “remote mountain region” of Wales that, according to the business, has never had mobile service. The video is jerky and has a perceptible lag, so the quality isn’t perfect, but the call, which lasts for around 45 seconds, seems steady.
According to the firm, the call came from a distant area of Wales where mobile broadband has never been available.
In order to provide the satellite service, Vodafone teamed up with AST SpaceMobile, which has already launched five BlueBird satellites in low Earth orbit. The satellites are connected to Vodafone’s terrestrial network via a space-to-land gateway, which routes the signal. According to Vodafone, it is a “complementary” technology that can fill in the gaps in its current mobile network, which covers far-flung locations like mountains and the ocean. In 2026, it is anticipated that the direct-to-smartphone satellite service would “close the last remaining coverage gaps” in Europe.
However, this was more than simply a first for that region of Wales. The innovation made advantage of AST SpaceMobile’s charmingly named Bluebird satellites. AST SpaceMobile’s founder, chairman, and CEO, Abel Avellan, discussed the accomplishment, which comprised the first space-based 5G voice call.
“This momentous occasion represents yet another important advancement in our collaboration with Vodafone, a major technical partner and longtime investor in AST SpaceMobile. The first-ever space-based voice call, the first-ever 4G download speed exceeding 10 Mbps, and the first-ever 5G voice call are just a few of the global firsts in space-based broadband connection that we have collectively accomplished. We are one step closer to our goal of closing connection gaps and ensuring that everyone has access to cellular broadband thanks to this most recent accomplishment made possible by our BlueBird satellites,” Avellan stated.
A phone with specialised satellite components is not necessary because AST SpaceMobile’s satellite technology communicates via common 4G and 5G signals. With peak rates of up to 120 megabits per second, Vodafone claims to provide a “full mobile broadband experience” that “goes beyond other low Earth orbit satellite constellations which have so far only facilitated text messaging,” in addition to video calling.
It is an expansion of Vodafone’s land-based new towers, according to Vodafone.
According to The Verge, Texas-based AST SpaceMobile has also partnered with AT&T and Verizon to offer comparable services throughout the United States, most likely in the wake of the European launch.
Some iPhones and Google Pixel phones with appropriate modem components already have satellite connectivity, but it’s primarily restricted to SMS messaging, location sharing, and emergency alerts. In collaboration with Starlink Direct-to-Cell, T-Mobile is beta testing its own US network. This service will also function with regular cell phones, albeit initially only for text messages; calls and data will be added later.
According to Della Valle, Vodafone’s role is to link everyone, wherever they may be. “We are connecting those who have never had access to mobile communications before and providing our clients with the greatest network available. By enabling individuals from all around Europe to stay in contact with friends, family, and co-workers or to ensure dependable rural connectivity in case of an emergency, this will contribute to the closing of the digital divide.
The cost of the service has not yet been disclosed.
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