Global Vodafone Telecommunications Company has tried successfully A “space video call” using a standard mobile phone and commercial satellites. It is an important step towards the elimination of the black points of mobile coverage, and the carrier hopes to offer the first direct broadband commercial service to marginal phones in the United Kingdom at the end of this year, and in other parts of Europe in algún momento de 2026. Sin embargo, para llegar aquí, varios, varios, varios, varios, varios, varios, varios, varios, varios, varios, varios, varios, varios, varios, varios, varios, varios, varios, varios, several, several, several, several, several, several, several, several, several, several, several, several, several, several, several, several, several, several, several, several, several, several, Several, several, several, several, several, several, several, several. Obstacles must be overcome.
Why is this new?
In recent years, companies like Apple, Samsungand T-Mobile I have begun to offer satellite communication capabilities for smartphones and smart watches. However, this characteristic is limited to specific devices and is intended only to emergency use. More importantly, it only allows users to send text messages to emergency services in areas without cellular coverage or Wi-Fi.
Vodafone is working to offer a complete mobile broadband experience for anyone without cellular coverage or Wi-Fi. His first successful test came through a video call of a mountain in Credigion, West Wales. However, the team did not call the International Space Station. Instead, Vodafone’s call, made in an area without coverage, connected to a satellite that then sent it to the terrestrial network, ready to connect to another device. The following video shows the call itself.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dvntmjquq5y
Enable JavaScript to see this content
As the Vodafone CEO, Margherita Della Valle, explains, this service could eliminate “no points”, sometimes called “black points”, where there is currently no coverage.
“It is a really important moment because we are opening the door to universal connectivity, to connect people in the United Kingdom, wherever they are,” he said.
Vodafone, based in British, associated with the AST Spacemobile satellite company to do the test.
Can this happen?
Despite the company’s claims, Vodafone’s successful test does not necessarily mean that it is available for consumers this year.
Like BBC ExplainVodafone must overcome key regulatory problems before he can continue. In addition, astronomers warn that the growing number of satellites in orbit that could be necessary for direct broadband satellite service to brown phones could hinder the space of studies.
There is also the price issue. To date, Vodafone has not mentioned what this type of service will cost. In general, satellite communication can be expensive, so it is expensive for some users.
Other obstacles have less to do with regulations and costs. For example, satellite connections generally have a higher latency and a greater bandwidth than terrestrial networks, which affects the quality of video calls. In addition, climatic conditions can affect satellite signals, potentially interrupting video calls.
Why could this be a big problem
Stellite smartphone video calls have immense potential to revolutionize communication, provided that any existing obstacle can be addressed. One of the most important advantages is the ability to close the digital division, giving all Internet access. This increase in connectivity could promote social inclusion, stimulate economic development and improve access to essential services such as education and medical care.
In addition, these capacities would allow travelers, explorers and researchers in remote areas to be connected with relatives, colleagues and emergency services, improving their safety and tranquility. Stellite smartphone video calls could facilitate better real -time communication in emergencies or disasters. They would allow the transmission of visual information about the situation in the field, helping emergency responders to make informed decisions and assign resources effectively.
Vodafone is not the only company that tries to improve satellite video communication. In the United States, T-Mobile is Proof of a satellite service along the same line as Vodafone’s, while Apple introduced A satellite messaging function With iPhone 14 and PARKGRATCHED with Motorola and the group (now missing) Bullitt to do the Defy Satellite Link Dongle designed for emergency use.
