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Vodafone Achieves First-Ever Satellite Video Call Using Standard Smartphone

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Vodafone has announced the successful completion of the world’s first video call via satellite using a standard smartphone from a remote location. The call was made from the Welsh mountains, an area with no network signal, and the technology is set to be rolled out across Europe later this year and into 2026. The CEO of Vodafone, Margherita Della Valle, received the video call on Monday from company engineer Rowan Chesmer, who was in the remote location.

“We were using the only satellite service that offers a full mobile experience with a standard device, which allows for voice, text, and video data transmission, making a full video call possible,” Della Valle explained in an interview. The company’s goal is to bring this service to its customers as soon as possible.

Vodafone’s video call success is powered by AST SpaceMobile’s five BlueBird satellites in low-Earth orbit, enabling data transmission speeds of up to 120 megabits per second for regular smartphones. Vodafone is an investor in AST SpaceMobile, alongside companies like AT&T, Verizon, and Google.

The move is part of a growing effort by mobile operators and smartphone manufacturers to use satellite technology to close network coverage gaps. Apple’s iPhones have been able to send emergency texts and share locations using satellites since the iPhone 14, and other tech companies like Google and Samsung are providing similar services.

T-Mobile U.S. and SpaceX are testing Starlink satellites for text services, with plans to include voice and data in the future. Apple’s latest iPhones and some Android devices are eligible for these services.

British astronaut Tim Peake joined Della Valle at the launch of Vodafone’s space-to-land gateway at its headquarters in Newbury, UK. This gateway facilitates communication between a user’s smartphone and the satellite network, connecting signals into Vodafone’s core network. Peake, who spent 186 days in space and became the first Briton to conduct a spacewalk in 2015, praised the ability to provide mobile coverage through space technology.

“Having spent time in space, I understand the importance of staying connected with family and friends, especially in isolated environments,” Peake said. He also expressed his enthusiasm for future missions, saying he would “put his hand in the air” if another opportunity arose.

British Regulators Approve $19 Billion Vodafone-Three Mobile Merger

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The UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has granted approval for the $19 billion (£15 billion) merger between Vodafone and Three’s UK operations, subject to specific conditions. The landmark deal will reshape the telecommunications landscape by merging the two companies, creating a new market leader with 29 million customers.

Conditions for Approval

The CMA stipulated that Vodafone and Three must sign legally binding agreements to:

  • Invest billions of pounds to develop a combined 5G network across the UK over the next eight years.
  • Cap certain mobile tariffs and data plans for a three-year period.
  • Offer pre-set prices and contract terms to mobile virtual network operators (MVNOs) that rely on their infrastructure.

The CMA and Ofcom will oversee the enforcement of these conditions to ensure compliance.

Details of the Merger

The deal, announced last year, gives Vodafone a 51% controlling stake in the combined entity, with CK Hutchison, the owner of Three UK, holding the remaining interest. The merged company aims to invest £11 billion into UK telecommunications infrastructure, enhancing 5G rollout and expanding service capabilities.

“This mega-merger marks one of the most significant moments in the history of UK mobile,” said Kester Mann, director of consumer and connectivity at CCS Insight. He added that the remedies agreed upon by the CMA were less restrictive than anticipated, providing a favorable outcome for both companies.

Regulatory Scrutiny and Concerns

The CMA had initially raised concerns that reducing the number of major UK telecom operators from four to three could harm competition, leading to higher prices and diminished services for consumers. An antitrust investigation was launched in January, followed by an in-depth probe in April.

Last month, the CMA outlined a path forward, contingent on the adoption of specific measures to mitigate these concerns. Stuart McIntosh, chair of the CMA’s independent inquiry group, stated, “We believe the merger is likely to boost competition in the UK mobile sector and should be allowed to proceed – but only if Vodafone and Three agree to implement our proposed measures.”

Industry Implications

The merger, expected to be finalized in the first half of 2025, represents a significant shift in the UK telecom market. Vodafone CEO Margherita Della Valle described the decision as a pivotal moment that would unlock investment in critical infrastructure.

However, analysts caution that the benefits of the deal will take time to materialize. Paolo Pescatore, founder of PP Foresight, noted, “It’s still a waiting game… It will take many years before the full merits of the deal are realized, and there’s a lot of tough decisions to come.”

U.K. Regulator Signals Approval for Vodafone-Three Merger if Consumer Protections and Investments Are Met

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The £15 billion ($19.5 billion) merger between Vodafone and Three may proceed if the companies address specific competition concerns, according to the U.K.’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) on Tuesday. Vodafone, based in the U.K., and Hong Kong-owned Three, have been advised to adopt several remedies that include significant investment into U.K. telecom infrastructure and protections for consumers.

The CMA’s provisional approval requires that Vodafone and CK Hutchison, Three’s parent company, meet multiple conditions, including:

  • A binding commitment to invest £11 billion ($14.46 billion) into enhancing and expanding U.K. network infrastructure over the next eight years, monitored by both Ofcom and the CMA.
  • A commitment to maintain certain mobile tariffs and data plans for existing and new customers for at least three years.
  • Competitive pricing and terms for mobile virtual network operators (MVNOs) that rely on third-party infrastructure, ensuring they can access competitive wholesale network rates.

Stuart McIntosh, chair of the CMA’s inquiry group overseeing the investigation, stated that these commitments could make the merger “pro-competitive” if the companies deliver on the proposed conditions. “Binding commitments combined with short-term protections for consumers and wholesale providers would address our concerns while preserving the benefits of this merger,” McIntosh said.

Vodafone has expressed support for the CMA’s framework, emphasizing that the merger would catalyze benefits for U.K. businesses and consumers by advancing digital infrastructure and bringing 5G to schools and hospitals across the country. A Vodafone spokesperson added that the deal represents a positive step forward for national telecom advancements.

The CMA’s final decision is anticipated by December 7. This follows earlier findings in September suggesting that the merger could increase consumer prices and harm competition among MVNOs like Sky Mobile, Lyca, and iD Mobile. Since then, the CMA has reviewed potential solutions from Vodafone and Three to mitigate these concerns.

Vodafone, which would hold a 51% stake in the combined company with CK Hutchison owning the remainder, first proposed the merger with Three in June last year. This consolidation would reduce the number of major U.K. mobile operators from four to three, trailing behind rivals EE (owned by BT) and O2 (owned by Telefonica and Liberty Global). Vodafone argues that such a merger is necessary to boost investment in U.K. digital infrastructure, which has lagged behind other large economies.

Despite these assurances, opponents like BT and Sky Mobile continue to challenge the merger. BT has expressed concern that the merged entity would possess an “unprecedented” level of network capacity and spectrum in Western European markets, potentially stifling competition and discouraging further investment. Sky Mobile has echoed these concerns and is expected to lobby against the merger before the final deadline.

Kester Manning, consumer and connectivity director at CCS Insight, views the CMA’s conditional approval as a “big step forward” toward finalizing the merger, which would create a new market leader with over 29 million customers. Manning added, however, that BT and other opponents are likely to mount further challenges in the coming weeks.