March 25 (Reuters) - Britons could be making satellite

calls using their ordinary smartphones later this year after the

country's telecoms regulator proposed allocating radio

frequencies to enable services to begin.

Specialised equipment, such as the terminals used on ships

and aircraft, is currently required to make satellite calls,

although some smartphones can use low-bandwidth connections to

send texts, for example to emergency services.

In January, however, Vodafone ( VOD ) made the world's first

satellite video call using a standard smartphone in a remote

region of Wales with no mobile coverage, using a trial licence.

Regulator Ofcom said it was proposing to allow mobile

networks and satellite operators to use mobile airwaves - called

radio spectrum - to connect mainstream handsets in the UK.

The technology could be used to provide connections in

Britain's most rural and hard-to-reach places.

Ofcom's preferred approach would be to amend the licences

already held by mobile network operators and create an exemption

for handsets connecting to these services.

Alternatively, it could introduce a new licence for the

services or permit licence exempt use subject to conditions.

Ofcom could begin authorising direct-to-device service later

this year. The consultation period for submissions closes on May

20.