Vodafone makes ‘world’s first’ satellite video call from a regular phone ahead of 2025 rollout
Vodafone has made what it calls “the world’s first” satellite video call using a standard smartphone, in a test of a system it says will provide mobile broadband service to 4G and 5G phones without dedicated satellite hardware. The service, using satellites from SpaceX rival AST SpaceMobile, is expected to launch in Europe before the end of 2025.
Vodafone aims to offer satellite-to-phone connectivity starting later this year
Vodafone said it hopes to offer the first commercial direct-to-smartphone broadband satellite service in Europe, starting later in 2025 and in 2026. We asked which country would get support for satellite phone connectivity first, but a company spokesperson claimed it was "too early to say."
Move over messaging, this carrier just brought satellite video calling to any phone
Vodafone made a world-first video call over satellite using a normal smartphone, with commercial services starting later this year.
Satellites could end UK phone 'not spots', Vodafone says
Vodafone boss Margherita Della Valle says it could eliminate "not spots" - places without mobile signal - which regulator Ofcom estimates can be found in 9% of the UK. However, experts say regulatory hurdles will need to be cleared and many more satellites launched for the service to take off.
AST SpaceMobile Satellites Successfully Power Video Call With Vodafone
The BlueBird satellites relayed a video call from a Vodafone engineer positioned in a remote mountain region of the UK using an unmodified consumer smartphone.
Vodafone demonstrates 'world's first' satellite video call with a standard mobile phone
Vodafone has demonstrated the capabilities of a new satellite network by making what it calls the "world's first" satellite video call, albeit with some caveats. The company used partner AST SpaceMobile's BlueBird satellites specifically designed to transmit 4G/5G mobile broadband signals from space.
Vodafone makes world's first satellite video call using standard smartphone
Vodafone said it had made the world's first video call via satellite using a standard smartphone from a remote location, and it plans to roll out the technology for its users across Europe later this year and in 2026.
AST SpaceMobile, Vodafone make first-ever space mobile video call
Vodafone UK beat Elon Musk’s Starlink to the punch, announcing the first-ever space mobile video call. And it was done with the help of AST SpaceMobile’s Midland-manufactured satellites. Vodafone engineer Rowan Chesner made the call from a remote area of Wales,
Vodafone taps America's AST SpaceMobile array to make first smartphone satellite call
Britain's Vodafone mobile network successfully tested a direct-to-smartphone satellite phone service as part of an effort to ...
Vodafone Makes History! Achieving the First Space Video Call Using a Standard Smartphone
The groundbreaking call was made possible through Vodafones collaboration with AST SpaceMobiles BlueBird satellites.
Vodafone plans rollout of Starlink rival AST to connect remote areas
The technology will provide people in areas with poor mobile signal with 4G or 5G connectivity beamed straight from ...