Satellite Internet Launching on European Smartphones This Year

In the video below, Vodafone showcases how users can make video calls through a satellite network using just a regular smartphone, without needing extra equipment. Vodafone claims this is a groundbreaking achievement. Unlike the Apple iPhone 16 or a Starlink connection, this service is not restricted to just text messages and emergency calls.

Full Broadband Access

Vodafone states that smartphone users will enjoy complete broadband internet access via satellite, allowing their devices to function just like they would on a 5G network. The transition between the radio tower and the satellite network will happen seamlessly. While SpaceX has similar plans for Starlink, Vodafone is expected to be ahead of the US satellite provider, with the first European smartphone users anticipated to connect to Vodafone’s satellite network by the end of 2025. For this initiative, Vodafone will rely on the BlueBird satellite network from AST SpaceMobile.

Connecting Remote Areas

The goal of satellite connectivity is to eliminate dead zones and link customers in isolated locations to the network. Essentially, any 4G or 5G smartphone should be able to establish a satellite connection without the need for specialized hardware. Theoretically, users could achieve data speeds up to 120 MBps, although the bandwidth will decline just like traditional broadband when multiple users in the same area access the network simultaneously. However, it is still uncertain how much the mobile plans or contracts for these satellite connections will cost.

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