Vodafone has achieved a major milestone in telecommunications by establishing the first video call over satellite using a basic smartphone.
This breakthrough eliminates the requirement for specialized satellite phones, terminals, or dishes, offering mobile connectivity to previously inaccessible places.
Vodafone engineer Rowan Chesmer made the historic call from a remote mountainous region in Wales, which has no traditional network coverage.
Chesmer communicated with Vodafone Group CEO Margarita Della Valle via AST SpaceMobile's BlueBird satellites in low earth orbit, offering up to 120 Mbps. The video call marks a new era in mobile communication by bridging coverage gaps without users having to switch devices or services.
Speaking at Vodafone's new space-to-land gateway in the UK, Della Valle stressed the company's objective to offer universal digital connectivity: "Vodafone's job is to get everyone connected, no matter where they live. Our advanced European 5G network will now be complemented with cutting-edge satellite technology."
British astronaut Tim Peake, who attended the launch event, described the achievement as an "incredible breakthrough." Peake, who spent six months aboard the International Space Station, emphasized the need to remain connected in remote environments: "That ability to communicate with family and friends from isolated locations is invaluable."
Vodafone's satellite service, created in partnership with AST SpaceMobile, is the first of its kind to provide complete mobile broadband access using a regular smartphone.
Unlike current satellite services, which offer limited message capabilities, Vodafone's technology supports voice, video, and data transmission like a standard 4G or 5G network.
The company plans to roll out the service across Europe later this year and in 2026. As the fight to narrow network coverage gaps intensifies, Apple, Google, and SpaceX invest in satellite-based mobile services.
Vodafone's breakthrough looks like a significant step toward worldwide connectivity.
This innovation ensures that even in the most remote regions, customers can access the internet, make calls, and stay connected without interruption.