Vodafone Achieves World’s First Satellite Video Call Using a Standard Smartphone
Vodafone has successfully completed the world’s first video call via satellite using a standard smartphone, marking a major breakthrough in telecommunications. The call was made from a remote location in the Welsh mountains, where no traditional network signal was available. Vodafone CEO Margherita Della Valle received the call from company engineer Rowan Chesmer, showcasing the technology’s ability to provide full mobile services—including voice, text, and video—without the need for specialized devices.
The technology, powered by AST SpaceMobile’s low-Earth orbit (LEO) BlueBird satellites, can deliver speeds of up to 120 Mbps for standard smartphones. Vodafone, an investor in AST SpaceMobile alongside AT&T, Verizon, and Google, aims to roll out the satellite service for its European customers later in 2024 and throughout 2026.
Telecom giants and smartphone manufacturers are competing to integrate satellite connectivity to close gaps in network coverage. Apple’s iPhone 14 and later models already support satellite-based emergency messaging, while Google and Samsung are also developing similar capabilities. Meanwhile, T-Mobile U.S. and SpaceX’s Starlink are testing satellite text services, with plans to expand to voice and data transmission.
At the launch of Vodafone’s space-to-land gateway at its UK headquarters in Newbury, British astronaut Tim Peake praised the breakthrough, highlighting the critical role of satellite communications for remote and isolated environments. Having spent 186 days in space, Peake emphasized the importance of connectivity and expressed his willingness to participate in another mission.
With Vodafone’s pioneering achievement, satellite-driven mobile communication is set to transform global connectivity, ensuring that users remain connected even in the most remote regions.
