Vodafone has achieved a groundbreaking development in mobile communication by successfully completing the world’s first satellite video call. This test call, made from the company’s headquarters in Newbury, England, was conducted without the need for traditional base stations, using a standard smartphone instead.
Are satellite calls the technology of the future?
This historic call was made by Vodafone CEO Margherita Della Valle, using a smartphone that did not require any terrestrial connection. The test was conducted in rural areas of England, utilizing Vodafone’s collaboration with AST SpaceMobile to deploy low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite systems for establishing the connection.
Unlike traditional satellite phones, Vodafone’s new technology allows users to make calls using a standard smartphone without any additional hardware or special devices. The system operates through a dedicated satellite network called BlueBird and supports data transmission speeds of up to 120 Mbps.
Vodafone plans to commercially launch this technology across Europe by 2026 after the successful completion of these tests. The system is expected to be of great importance, particularly in rural areas with inadequate mobile coverage and emergency situations.
The company also mentions that this new technology will seamlessly integrate with existing 4G and 5G networks. Users will be able to switch automatically between traditional networks and satellite networks, ensuring connectivity even in areas without coverage.
With the commercial launch of this service, Vodafone’s new technology is expected to usher in a new era of mobile communication. What are your thoughts on this development? Feel free to share your opinions in the comments!