People in the UK could soon be able to make satellite calls from their smartphones, under new proposals announced by Ofcom.

Under the plans, the UK will be the first country in Europe to take advantage of advancements in communications technology, which could enable mobile networks and satellite operators to connect customers from space. 

With the latest ‘direct-to-device’ systems, satellites can now beam signals straight to standard smartphones, allowing for calls, texts and internet connections, even when there is no coverage from terrestrial mobile networks with masts on the ground.

Ofcom’s consultation, which is set to run until 20th May, will examine the potential of these D2D services to increase outdoor geographic coverage, as well as provide a basic backup service in the event of outages on the terrestrial networks.

The proposed plan would allow mobile networks and satellite operators to use mobile airwaves – called radio spectrum – to connect mainstream handsets in the UK, however Ofcom stressed that operators will be expected to manage D2D networks in a manner that does not cause radio interference to existing spectrum users in the UK or overseas.

Until now, mobile satellite services from space have mainly been available to a niche group of users, for example, on ships and aircraft, with the specialist handsets being expensive to obtain.

Ofcom argued that, if more widely available, these systems would help connect the UK’s most rural and hard-to-reach places, and could mean getting a signal in remote villages and mountains, along with providing vital back-up options during outages.

It could also be used in the UK’s coastal waters, meaning better connections for ships and passengers, or to improve emergency 999 services in remote locations.

“For years, we’ve seen satellite calls in disaster movies on special handsets. We’re now on the cusp of people being able to make them on their everyday smartphones,” said David Willis, Ofcom’s Spectrum Group director.

“Ofcom always strives to be at the forefront of technological change, and we’re the first country in Europe to press ahead with the next frontier in mobile connectivity. 

“This would unlock investment, open doors to innovation and growth, and bring much-needed mobile coverage to rural areas.”

Recommended reading

• UK Gov Backs Satellite Solutions for Rural Connectivity
  
• West of Scotland Space Cluster Launches
• UK Gov’s New Tech Shields Satellites From Space Debris

The new tech was already tested in January, when Vodafone successfully made the world’s first satellite video call using a standard mobile phone, up a mountain in west Wales where there was no coverage, with Ofcom issuing an innovation and trial licence.

In a summary of initial responses to the plans, published in November, Ofcom found that stakeholders were generally positive about the potential for new commercial and consumer services of D2D technology.

According to Ofcom’s report, four firms expressed interest in offering these D2D services to mass market handsets, with one, Lynk Global, reportedly testing its services in the UK alongside a beta commercial service already fully operational in several countries.