Satellite internet coming to European smartphones this year as Vodafone demonstrates technology

In the video embedded below, Vodafone demonstrates how video calls are made via a satellite network using a standard smartphone without any additional hardware. According to Vodafone, this is a world first, because unlike the Apple iPhone 16 or a Starlink connection, this is not limited to text messages and emergency calls.

According to Vodafone, smartphone users will receive full broadband internet access via satellite so that the smartphone can be used exactly like on a 5G network. Switching between the radio tower and the satellite network will be automatic. SpaceX has announced similar plans for Starlink, but Vodafone is likely to beat the satellite provider from the US to the punch, as the first smartphone users in Europe are set to gain access to Vodafone's satellite network before the end of 2025. Vodafone will use the BlueBird satellite network from AST SpaceMobile for this purpose.

Satellite connectivity is intended to close dead spots and connect customers who live in remote areas to the network. In principle, a satellite connection should be possible on any 4G and 5G smartphone; special satellite hardware is not required. In theory, data rates of up to 120 Mbps can be reached, but the bandwidth decreases in the same way as broadband when more and more users in the same location access the network at the same time. What remains unclear, however, is just how expensive the mobile phone plans/contracts for satellite connections will be.