Wednesday, October 22, 2025

Historic Satellite Video Call from Welsh Mountain

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A man holding a phone in West Wales with mountains and a river.
Vodafone

Vodafone has made a video call using a satellite phone. This is the first time in the UK. The call was from a mountain in Wales.

Vodafone wants to add satellite connections to its phone service by the end of this year. This will help areas without mobile signals.

But, experts say many satellites need to be launched for this to work well.

There is a problem. Astronomers say too many satellites make it hard to watch space. They see bright lines in their images.

They worry it will be harder to find dangerous asteroids that can hit Earth.


Vocabulary List:

  1. Satellite /ˈsæt.əl.aɪt/ (noun): An object that orbits a larger body such as a planet or moon often used for communication.
  2. Connection /kəˈnek.ʃən/ (noun): A relationship or link between two or more things often referring to telecommunications.
  3. Astronomers /əˈstrɒn.ə.mərz/ (noun): Scientists who study celestial bodies and the universe.
  4. Launch /lɔːntʃ/ (verb): To send a spacecraft or satellite into orbit; to provide a service or product for the first time.
  5. Images /ˈɪm.ɪdʒ.ɪz/ (noun): Visual representations of something often captured through photography or imaging technology.
  6. Asteroids /ˈæs.tə.rɔɪdz/ (noun): Small rocky bodies that orbit the sun primarily found in the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter.

How much do you know?

Where did Vodafone make a video call using a satellite phone for the first time in the UK?
A) Manchester
B) Birmingham
C) Wales
D) London
What is Vodafone planning to add to its phone service by the end of this year?
A) Faster internet speed
B) Satellite connections
C) Unlimited data
D) Virtual reality features
Why do experts say many satellites need to be launched for Vodafone's satellite connections to work well?
A) To improve TV signals
B) To enhance global mapping
C) To help areas without mobile signals
D) To boost internet speed
What problem do astronomers mention regarding the increasing number of satellites?
A) Interference with radio signals
B) Difficulty in predicting weather patterns
C) Distortion of space-time
D) Bright lines in their images
What do astronomers worry will become harder due to the presence of too many satellites?
A) Finding new galaxies
B) Observing black holes
C) Detecting dark matter
D) Finding dangerous asteroids
What type of call did Vodafone make using a satellite phone for the first time in the UK?
A) Voice call
B) Video call
C) Conference call
D) Text message
Vodafone made the first video call using a satellite phone in France.
Adding satellite connections to its service will not benefit areas without mobile signals.
Experts believe that launching more satellites is unnecessary for Vodafone's plans to work well.
Astronomers are concerned about the impact of too many satellites on their ability to observe space.
Detecting dangerous asteroids may become easier with the help of Vodafone's satellite connections.
The problem of bright lines in astronomers' images is not a significant issue related to satellite presence.
Vodafone wants to add satellite connections to its phone service by the end of this .
Astronomers worry it will be harder to find dangerous asteroids that can hit .
Vodafone made a video call using a satellite phone for the first time in the UK from a mountain in .
Experts say many satellites need to be launched for Vodafone's satellite connections to work well in without mobile signals.
The problem of bright lines in astronomers' images occurs due to in space.
Astronomers raised concerns about the impact of too many satellites on their ability to observe .
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