Vodafone makes world's first space video call using Midland's AST SpaceMobile

30 Jan 2025
News, Feature, Aerospace
Vodafone makes world's first space video call from an area of no coverage using Midland's AST SpaceMobile. Vodafone has successfully made the world’s first space video call using normal 4G/5G smartphones and satellites that will allow multiple users in areas of no mobile coverage to make and receive video calls, access the Internet and use online messaging services. It is the only satellite technology of its kind built to offer a full mobile broadband experience and paves the way for universal digital connectivity and the closure of mobile coverage gaps.
Abel Avellan, Founder, Chairman, and CEO of AST SpaceMobile, said: “This historic milestone marks another significant step forward in our partnership with Vodafone, a long-time investor in AST SpaceMobile and a key technology partner. 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. 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.”
Operating from low Earth orbit, it is the only satellite service in the world today that offers mobile broadband directly to multiple 4G or 5G smartphones by working seamlessly as an extension of Vodafone’s leading land-based networks. Satellite is a complementary, bolt-on technology providing valuable coverage where no feasible mobile or fixed alternative exists at present. Together, the satellite service and terrestrial network will give Europe a communications infrastructure for use in any location, including mountains, or out at sea, at any time, as well as boosting overall resilience.
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