Vodafone claims to have made the world’s first space video call using normal 4G/5G smartphones and commercial satellites from space-based mobile broadband network provider AST SpaceMobile.
The call was made using Vodafone’s new space-to-land gateway, which receives and channels all the signals sent from a user’s smartphone via the low earth orbit BlueBird satellites of AST SpaceMobile.
According to Vodafone, a company engineer made the space-based video call to Vodafone Group Chief Executive, Margherita Della Valle from a remote mountainous location in mid-Wales – where there has never been mobile broadband before.
Della Valle said Vodafone’s job is to get everyone connected, no matter where they are.
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“Our advanced European 5G network will now be complemented with cutting-edge satellite technology,” Della Valle said.
“We are bringing customers the best network and connecting people who have never had access to mobile communications before.
“This will help to close the digital divide, supporting people from all corners of Europe to keep in touch with family and friends, or work, as well as ensuring reliable rural connectivity in an emergency.”
Abel Avellan, Founder, Chairman, and CEO of AST SpaceMobile described the space to smartphone video call as a historic milestone and significant step forward in its partnership with Vodafone, a long-time investor in AST SpaceMobile.
“Together, we have achieved several world firsts in space-based broadband connectivity, including the first-ever space-based voice call, the first-ever 4G download speed above 10 Mbps, and the first-ever 5G voice call,” Avellan said.
“This latest achievement using our BlueBird satellites, takes us one step closer to our mission to eliminate connectivity gaps and make cellular broadband accessible to all.”