BlueBird: Vodafone wants to offer mobile video calls via satellite
Vodafone wants to offer satellite internet in Europe from 2025. To kick things off, the Vodafone boss made the first video call by smartphone via satellite.
Smartphone in the Welsh mountains: video call from a place without mobile phone coverage.
(Image: Vodafone)
Satellite internet comes to conventional smartphones: Margherita Della Valle has made the first video call via satellite from a smartphone. The Vodafone boss was at Vodafone's new ground station in Newbury, while the other party was in Wales at a location without mobile phone coverage. The mobile provider is thus launching its "Satellite to Smartphone" service in Europe.
Further tests are planned for the spring, Vodafone announced. The service for direct communication from smartphone to satellite will then be successively available in European countries later this year and next. The aim is to close the last remaining gaps in coverage.
Vodafone has made it its mission to connect everyone, no matter where they are," said Della Valle. Vodafone is investing in satellite technology to connect people who previously had no access to mobile communications. "This will help bridge the digital divide and support people across Europe to stay in touch with their families and friends, access jobs and ensure reliable connectivity in rural areas during emergencies."
BlueBird works with conventional smartphones
According to the US company, BlueBird is the first and only mobile broadband network in space that works with conventional smartphones. The satellite service is seamlessly integrated into Vodafone's fiber optic and mobile networks. According to Vodafone, the transmission speeds are up to 120 Mbit/s. Vodafone and AST SpaceMobile made the first 4G voice call with a conventional smartphone via satellite in April 2023. The first 5G call followed in September 2023.
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Communication takes place via AST SpaceMobile's BlueBird constellation. The constellation in a low earth orbit (LEO). The first five satellites were launched into space at the end of 2024. More satellites are to follow.
According to the operator, the five BlueBird satellites have "the largest commercial antenna area" ever sent into LEO. Scientists criticize such satellites as they can make astronomical observations more difficult.
(wpl)
