Vodafone connects first space video call over AST SpaceMobile BlueBird satellites using standard phone.

Following the success of the first LEO satellite-routed video call using a regular 4G/5G device, Vodafone plans to roll out Europe’s first commercial direct-to-smartphone broadband satellite service in 2025-2026, expanding network coverage to rural and underserved areas across the continent.

Operating from low Earth orbit, Vodafone says its satellite service using AST SpaceMobile’s BlueBird satellites is currently the only service that offers direct mobile broadband from space to standard 4G and 5G smartphones. The service will augment Vodafone’s terrestrial network, offering connectivity in areas where mobile coverage has been impossible.

The BlueBird satellites are low orbit satellites ( from AST SpaceMobile that are designed to connect cell phones to cellular broadband. The satellites are part of AST SpaceMobile’s SpaceMobile constellation. 

The network made the world’s first space-based video call made using standard 4G/5G smartphones The breakthrough call was placed by Vodafone engineer Rowan Chesmer from a remote area of mid-Wales to Vodafone Group Chief Executive Margherita Della Valle, using AST SpaceMobile’s BlueBird satellites.

Vodafone says this marks a significant leap forward in mobile communications, demonstrating how satellite technology can eliminate coverage gaps without requiring specialized hardware such as satellite phones or terminals.

The call also unveiled Europe’s first space-to-land gateway located at Vodafone’s Newbury headquarters, which seamlessly integrates satellite and terrestrial networks.

Connectivity Without Additional Hardware

Traditional satellite-based services rely on specialised terminals, But Vodafone’s solution is said to allow standard smartphones to automatically switch between satellite and terrestrial networks. The technology offers full mobile broadband services, including voice calls, video calls, and internet access, bringing connectivity to previously unreachable locations.

Said Vodafone CEO Margherita Della Valle  (main pic) “By integrating cutting-edge satellite technology with our European 5G network, we are providing customers with seamless connectivity—whether for work, personal communication, or emergencies.”

Astronaut Tim Peake, (main pic) who joined Della Valle for the unveiling in Newbury added: *”Having spent six months on the International Space Station, I understand the value of staying in touch. Vodafone’s achievement brings us closer to a world where no one is out of reach”.

Telecoms Minister Sir Chris Bryant said satellite-powered mobile broadband is key to bridging the digital divide.

“Ensuring connectivity for Britain’s hardest-to-reach areas is a top priority. Vodafone’s satellite and 5G innovation is a game-changer, addressing mobile coverage gaps and enhancing digital inclusion,”* said Bryant (below)

Vodafone UK’s Chief Executive Max Taylor, who will be CEO of the new combined Vodafone/Three business, added: “The use of satellites in conjunction with our land-based network will ensure customers have the coverage they deserve. We’re excited to have successfully tested the technology and look forward to making it more widely available in the UK.”

 AST SpaceMobile Partnership

The technology is a result of Vodafone’s collaboration with AST SpaceMobile a company specialising in space-based broadband solutions. Vodafone has been a major investor in AST

“This historic milestone marks another step forward in our partnership with Vodafone Together, we’ve achieved several world firsts, including the first space-based voice call, the first 4G download above 10 Mbps, and the first 5G voice call,” said founder and chairman Abel Avellan.

Avellan has over 25 years experience in the space industry and is an inventor on 24 U.S. patents. He was appointed as a Commissioner to the ITU/UNESCO Broadband Commission for Sustainable Development in 2024, named Satellite Teleport Executive of the Year in 2017, and received the Satellite Transaction of the Year award by Euroconsult in 2015.

BlueBIrd v Starlink

AST SpaceMobile’s BlueBird satellites and Starlink provide global connectivity, but they operate in fundamentally different ways:

Direct-to-Device vs. Dish-Based Connectivity – AST SpaceMobile offers direct-to-phone connectivity without requiring special equipment. Standard 4G/5G mobile phones can now connect directly to the satellites as if they were communicating with a traditional cell tower. Starlink Requires a dedicated satellite dish and a Wi-Fi router. It does not connect directly to mobile phones.

Orbit and Coverage AST SpaceMobile operates in Low Earth orbit at around 700 km. Its large phased-array satellites function as space-based cell towers extending the reach of mobile networks into remote areas. Starlink also uses LEO satellites but at a much lower altitude of 340km to 550 km. Starlink relies on a thousands of satellites to provide broadband internet.

Target Market and Use Case AST SpaceMobile: Focuses on eliminating mobile dead zones by enabling satellite-to-phone connectivity through partnerships with mobile network operators. Starlink Provides broadband internet primarily for*fixed and mobile users with Starlink terminals.

Bandwidth and Speed AST SpaceMobile speeds are around10 Mbps initially) suitable for voice, text, and light data applications Starlink offers high-speed broadband with speeds ranging from 50 Mbps to 250 Mbps for most users, with latency as low as 20-40ms.

Business Model AST SpaceMobile Works with mobile operators to extend their network coverage, charging them for satellite connectivity, which they then offer to customers as part of their service plans. Starlink Operates as an independent ISP directly selling internet access to consumers and businesses.

Key Takeaway For seamless mobile coverage anywhere with just a phone, AST SpaceMobile is the game-changer. For high-speed broadband for homes, vehicles, or remote locations, Starlink is the better option.