Satellite tv for pc video calls will probably be coming to Europe from later this 12 months, following a profitable demo of the tech by Vodafone in partnership with AST SpaceMobile. Rollout within the US by way of AT&T will observe a while later.
As with current satellite tv for pc textual content and voice calls, the service will function in distant areas the place no mobile protection is out there …
Apple led the best way with satellite tv for pc texts
Whereas satellite tv for pc communication by way of devoted {hardware} gadgets has been out there for many years, it’s solely lately that we’ve seen the aptitude prolonged to strange smartphones.
Apple led the best way with its Emergency SOS by way of Satellite tv for pc service, which launched again in 2022, permitting entry to 911 companies in remoted areas with out mobile protection. The service was final 12 months prolonged to assist you to message household and associates additionally.
Apple initially partnered with Globalstar for these options, however we discovered this week that it’s additionally working with SpaceX and T-Cell so as to add Starlink satellite tv for pc connectivity.
Voice and knowledge demonstrated in 2023
AST SpaceMobile demonstrated in 2023 that smartphones can even make voice calls by way of satellite tv for pc comms, in addition to accessing cell knowledge.
Firm engineers demonstrated space-based 5G connectivity by inserting a name from Maui, Hawaii, USA, to a Vodafone engineer in Madrid, Spain, utilizing AT&T spectrum and AST SpaceMobile’s BlueWalker 3 check satellite tv for pc […]
In a separate check, the corporate broke its earlier space-based mobile broadband knowledge session document by attaining a obtain fee of roughly 14 Mbps.
Satellite tv for pc video calls coming from this 12 months
The identical firm has now partnered with Vodafone to reveal video calling by way of satellite tv for pc, between what seems to be an iPhone and an Android cellphone.
Vodafone has efficiently made the world’s first house video name utilizing regular 4G/5G smartphones and satellites that may permit a number of customers in areas of no cell protection to make and obtain video calls, entry the Web and use on-line messaging companies […]
Vodafone engineer Rowan Chesmer put it to the check when he made the historic space-based video name to Margherita from a distant mountainous location in mid-Wales – the place there has by no means been cell broadband earlier than.
You possibly can watch the decision under.
The corporate says that the service will launch in Europe later this 12 months, and that protection will probably be full by the top of 2026.
The Verge experiences that AT&T can also be testing companies within the US, however that is prone to launch a while after Vodafone’s service rolls out in Europe.
Neither firm has introduced pricing.
Picture: Vodafone
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