AT&T-backed satellite can pick up regular phone signals from space
AT&T-backed satellite can pick up regular phone signals from spaceImage: AST SpaceMobile
A groundbreaking phone call between Texas and Japan has occurred that could eventually help set the stage for a globally accessible space-based cellular network. AST SpaceMobile — a Texas-based satellite manufacturer —that it had successfully routed an audio call between two standard smartphones directly through its BlueWalker 3 satellite in low Earth orbit, a breakthrough that could improve global cellular connectivity in remote regions without access to cell towers.
AST SpaceMobile claims this is “the first time anyone has ever achieved a direct voice connection from space to everyday cellular devices.” The phone call was made from an unmodified Samsung Galaxy S22 in Midland, Texas, using mobile spectrum from AT&T and connected to an iPhone used by Japanese tech giant Rakuten. Engineers from AT&T, Rakuten, and UK-based telecommunications company Vodafone assisted with the test.
The main goal of direct cell-to-satellite communication is to improve global cellular access in remote regions that lack infrastructure like cell towers. This also includes rural areas around the US that struggle to achieve even a 3G wireless connection, let alone 5G. AST SpaceMobile has agreements in place with mobile carrier networks besides AT&T, Rakuten, and Vodafone, such as Bell Canada, Telefónica, and Orange, which, combined, have approximately 2 billion subscribers.
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