Irish telecoms operator Vodafone has made history by completing Ireland's first-ever mobile video call via satellite using an ordinary smartphone in a major milestone for connectivity.

The game-changing call was made from Clare Island, County Mayo, with Vodafone engineer Robert Ivers calling Vodafone Ireland chief executive Sabrina Casalta in Dublin, representing the first satellite broadband video call to a standard smartphone in the EU and enhancing customer experience through expanded connectivity capabilities in remote locations according to the Irish Sun announcement.

The landmark call could help tackle coverage blackspots and keep people connected in some of the country's most remote areas. It could also provide vital back-up during extreme weather or major outages, when traditional mobile networks can be hit by power disruption.

Vodafone secured Ireland's first test and trial licence from ComReg to make the satellite call using terrestrial spectrum. The firm is now working on further development and regulatory approval with the aim of bringing satellite broadband connectivity to customers as soon as possible.

The breakthrough comes as Vodafone marks 25 years of operating in Ireland. More than 2,000 people currently work with Vodafone across its Dublin headquarters and 80 retail stores nationwide.

The satellite connectivity capability addresses significant customer experience challenges in areas where traditional mobile network infrastructure struggles to maintain reliable coverage. By enabling standard smartphones to connect via satellite, Vodafone eliminates the need for specialised equipment whilst providing seamless connectivity across Ireland's most geographically challenging locations.

The technology provides strategic importance for emergency services, remote workers, and rural communities requiring consistent communication capabilities. Vodafone positions the satellite broadband connectivity as complementary infrastructure supporting existing terrestrial networks whilst ensuring uninterrupted service delivery during network disruptions or adverse conditions.

Explore how satellite connectivity is transforming telecommunications customer experience in remote areas in complete coverage.