orbicular telecommunications troupe Vodafonehas successfully testeda “ space video call ” using a standard wandering phone and commercial-grade orbiter . It ’s an authoritative stone’s throw towards eliminating mobile reportage black spot , and the carrier hop to provide the first commercial unmediated - to - smartphone broadband satellite divine service in the U.K. later this year , and elsewhere in Europe sometime in 2026 . To get here , however , various obstruction must be overcome .
Why is this new?
In recent years , company likeApple , Samsung , andT - Mobilehave begun bid orbiter communication capabilities for smartphones and smartwatches . However , this feature is set to specific devices and is intended for emergency use only . More importantly , it only allow users to station text substance to emergency divine service in areas without cellular or Wi - Fi coverage .
Vodafone is crop to offer a complete wandering broadband experience for anyone without cellular or Wi - Fi coverage . Its first successful run do through a picture call from a mountain in Ceredigion , west Wales . The team did n’t call the International Space Station though . Instead , Vodafone ’s call , made in an field without any coverage , link up to a artificial satellite which then sent it down to the terrestrial mesh , ready to touch base to another twist . The video below shows the call itself .
As Vodafone CEO Margherita Della Valle explains , this service could eliminate “ not spots , ” sometimes called “ blackspots , ” where there ’s presently no insurance coverage .
“ It ’s a really important minute because we are open up the doorway to worldwide connectivity , to connect people in the U.K. , wherever they are , ” she said .
The British - base Vodafone partner with satellite caller AST SpaceMobile to do the test .
Can this happen?
Despite the company ’s claim , Vodafone ’s successful mental testing does n’t necessarily mean it will be useable to consumer this class .
As the BBCexplains , Vodafone must overcome central regulatory issues before it can proceed . Additionally , astronomers warn the increase number of satellites in orbit that might be required for direct - to - smartphone broadband satellite service could make it harder to study space .
There ’s also the question of price . To day of the month , Vodafone has not mentioned what this type of avail will be . Typically , satellite communicating can be expensive , stimulate it cost - prohibitive to some users .
Other obstacles have less to do with rule and costs . For example , satellite connection typically have higher rotational latency and lower bandwidth than terrestrial networks , affecting picture call quality . Additionally , conditions conditions can affect orbiter signals , potentially interrupt video recording vociferation .
Why this could be a big deal
orbiter - enable smartphone telecasting outcry have huge potency to revolutionise communication , provided that any existing obstacles can be address . One of the most significant advantage is the power to bridge the digital watershed , ultimately giving everyone access to the net . This increased connectivity could promote social inclusion , stimulate economical development , and improve entree to essential services such as Department of Education and health care .
to boot , these potentiality would enable travelers , IE , and investigator in remote area to remain link with family , colleagues , and emergency services , enhance their guard and heartsease of brain . Satellite - enabled smartphone video yell could facilitate better tangible - clock time communication in emergencies or disaster . They would allow for the transmission system of ocular information about the situation on the earth , helping hand brake responders make informed decisions and allocate resources effectively .
Vodafone is n’t the only company trying to hone orbiter picture communicating . In the U.S. T - Mobile istesting a satellite servicealong the same lines as Vodafone ’s , while Apple introduceda planet messaging featurewith the iPhone 14 , andMediaTek parternedwith Motorola and the ( now defunct ) Bullitt Group to make theDefy Satellite Linkdongle designed for exigency use .
