Updated 09:43 IST, January 30th 2025

Vodafone Makes The World's First Satellite Video Call - Details

"Our objective is to bring the service to our customers as soon as possible.", Vodafone CEO Della Valle said.

Reported by: Business Desk
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Vodafone Makes The World's First Satellite Video Call - Details | Image: Unsplash, Vodafone Idea

Vodafone has said it has made the world's first video call satellite via using standard smartphone from a remote location. The service provider plans to roll out technology for its users across Europe later this year and in 2026, Reuters reported.

Vodafone said in a release, "By using low-earth orbit satellites, we have discovered that we can provide mobile signals to even the most remote areas, helping to close coverage gaps worldwide and keeping people connected."

How It Came Through

The mobile operator's CEO Margherita Della Valle received the call on Monday from company engineer Rowan Chesmer, who was located in the Welsh mountains where there was no network signal.

"We were using the only satellite service that can offer a full mobile experience with a normal device, so you get everything from voice to text to video data transmission, which is why we did a full video call," Della Valle said in an interview on Wednesday, Reuters reported.

"Our objective is to bring the service to our customers as soon as possible.", she added.

The Technology

"Having spent six months on the space station living in a pretty remote and isolated environment, that ability to have a connection with family and friends is incredibly important," he told Reuters., Reuters said.

There is a race among service providers to close connectivity gaps. Previously, Apple 's iPhone 14 has used satellites to text emergency services. Google and Samsung offer similar services. 

Della Vale was joined by British astronaut Tim Peake at the launch of the company's space-to-land gateway at its UK headquarters in Newbury, west of London, Reuters reported.

The astronaut highlighted the significance of Vodafone's efforts, "Having spent six months on the space station living in a pretty remote and isolated environment, that ability to have a connection with family and friends is incredibly important," he told Reuters.

Published 09:42 IST, January 30th 2025