This week, AT&T and AST SpaceMobile had a successful test of their native voice call (VoLTE) and text (SMS) made directly through AST SpaceMobile’s Block 1 satellites with a standard cell phone using AT&T spectrum and passing through the AT&T core network.
According to AT&T, this test continues to pave the way for expanding mobile coverage to remote and underserved areas using an everyday cell phone.
The test brings to fruition a deal to offer satellite-to-cellphone service that AT&T and AST SpaceMobile made more than a year ago. Importantly, the service would not require special devices but will work with standard cellphones.
The goal is to provide connectivity in remote areas where cellular connectivity is not available. The companies have been testing the technology using AST SpaceMobile low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites and AT&T spectrum.
Testing has included voice, text, and data connectivity, although today’s announcement did not detail whether all those services would be supported at the initial service launch, nor did it specify when that launch will occur. However, the companies did refer to the service as “broadband,” suggesting that data would be part of the plans.
AT&T is an investor in AST SpaceMobile, along with overseas providers Vodafone and Rakuten. AST SpaceMobile told Telecompetitor last year that it is also working with wireless providers in other parts of the world that are interested in launching their own satellite-to-cellphone services.
The satellites were first launched in late 2024. Dubbed “BlueBirds” by AST SpaceMobile, the satellites have large arrays of antennas designed to reach standard smartphones directly at cellular broadband speeds for voice, data, and video and other non-communications government applications.
The AST SpaceMobile satellites — each with a capacity of up to 40 MHz and peak data transmission speeds of up to 120 Mbps — will communicate with more than 5,600 coverage cells in the United States to provide non-continuous cellular broadband service across the United States for AT&T and other providers.
