Vodafone earlier demonstrated its video calling function enabled by satellite network. This function was achieved in cooperation with AST SpaceMobile, a listed satellite designer and manufacturer headquartered in Midland, Texas, USA, and connected communications were completed through the five Block 5 BlueBird low-orbit satellites deployed by AST SpaceMobile.
Vodafone said that the satellite connection service provided by AST SpaceMobile can also be connected directly through mobile phones and transmitted through Vodafone's network, thereby enabling video calls with others via satellite connection. This service is expected to be provided in the European market first.
The partnership is expected to allow Vodafone to further compete with T-Mobile for satellite connectivity services, which has already partnered with SpaceX's Starlink.Cooperative satellite connectivity services, allowing T-Mobile service users to send text messages directly via satellite direct connection. In the future, it is planned to support the transmission of call and video content, and the transmission bandwidth is also expected to increase.
In addition to cooperating with Vodafone, AST SpaceMobile will alsoPartnering with AT&T and Verizon, and is expected to begin testing in the United States this spring, but the specific implementation time has not yet been confirmed.
The Block 1 BlueBird low-orbit satellites deployed by AST SpaceMobile cover an area of approximately 64 square meters when deployed and are powered by the largest solar array currently available for commercial low-orbit satellites. However, the current number deployed can only maintain service time of less than an hour. It is estimated that a total of 45-60 satellites will be needed to continuously provide text messaging, voice, and data connection services within the United States.
AST SpaceMobile plans to begin deploying Block 2025 BlueBird low-orbit satellites in 2. Each satellite will have a processing bandwidth of up to 10GHz, which will be 1 times that of the current Block 10 satellite and can support a peak data transmission rate of 120Mbps. This means that future cooperation with Vodafone will be able to provide more sufficient satellite connection bandwidth.
