Vodafone has demonstrated what it calls "the world's first" satellite video call from an area with no mobile coverage, using a standard smartphone in a remote mountain region of Wales.

British Astronaut Tim Peake joined Margherita Della Valle in Newbury, UK, for unveiling of first space to land gateway in Europe which seamlessly connects the satellites with Vodafone’s terrestrial network.

Tim Peake, who in 2015 became the first British astronaut to visit the International Space Station and conduct a spacewalk, told Vodafone: “Having spent six months on the International Space Station, I can fully appreciate the value in being able to communicate with family and friends from remote and isolated locations. I am delighted to join Vodafone and AST SpaceMobile in this significant breakthrough.”