Tag: Vodafone

  • Satellite Internet Launching on European Smartphones This Year

    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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  • Vodafone, Qualcomm, Xiaomi Achieve Record 5G Download Speeds

    Vodafone, Qualcomm, Xiaomi Achieve Record 5G Download Speeds

    European telecommunications leader Vodafone, chipmaker Qualcomm, and smartphone maker Xiaomi have announced the successful testing of new 5G technology that achieved download speeds of almost 1.8 gigabits-per-second (Gbps).

    The tests, carried out in Germany and Spain, employed a more efficient data transmission method known as 1024 quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM), which is an upgrade from the existing 256 QAM system. The 1024 QAM technique reportedly allows for more data to be packed into each transmission, resulting in faster download speeds for users.

    Innovative Testing and Technology

    The test device was Xiaomi’s latest flagship, the 14 Ultra, which features Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X75 5G Modem-RF System. The results varied slightly by location: in Germany, the test demonstrated about a 20% throughput improvement on a commercial network over a distance of 600 meters. The most impressive peak download speed of 1.8 Gbps was recorded at Vodafone’s 5G test center in Ciudad Real, Spain.

    According to Vodafone, the impact of 1024 QAM extends beyond just speed. The increase in speed and data throughput will enhance network capacity, enabling it to support more users in crowded areas such as shopping centers. Vodafone claims that, theoretically, 1.8 Gbps could offer a capacity gain of up to 25% in ideal conditions.

    Future Availability and Device Compatibility

    “The successful trials conducted in Germany and Spain with Vodafone and Xiaomi are proof that we are continuing to push the boundaries of what is possible with 5G technology,” said Qualcomm’s Dino Flore in a statement.

    Vodafone anticipates that this advanced technology will be widely accessible by 2025. However, it’s crucial to note that not all current 5G devices may be compatible with it.

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