Customers of AT&T and Verizon may soon have the ability to remain connected in areas with poor reception, similar to T-Mobile subscribers, as the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has authorized satellite provider AST SpaceMobile to test its technology.
The FCC has issued Special Temporary Authority (STA) to AST SpaceMobile for testing its satellite services in collaboration with AT&T and Verizon in the United States. The Texas-based space cellular startup launched its first five BlueBird cellular satellites into orbit in September.
In addition to our integration efforts with partner networks, we are installing five gateways in the United States. We are now fast-tracking our journey toward commercial activity, beginning with testing services using off-the-shelf cellular handsets on AT&T and Verizon networks.
AT&T and Verizon will make their low-band 850 MHz spectrum available to support voice, data, and video apps on unmodified smartphones.
The FCC approval will allow AST SpaceMobile to broadcast connectivity from BlueBird satellites using its partners’ spectrum and test the service with phones on their networks.
The satellites will act as 4G and 5G cell towers in space, providing space-powered cellular broadband.
Simply put, similar to T-Mobile and SpaceX’s Direct Cellular, AST’s agreement with AT&T and Verizon will ensure that phones won’t be left without connectivity in areas where there’s no terrestrial coverage. It could be months before the program officially launches, however.
Even a beta version will likely take some time, but it’s a promising development either way. The three will need to clear more regulatory hurdles first. Additionally, AST SpaceMobiles has previously said it would need 45 to 60 satellites to provide continuous service, and it’s still far from that goal.
T-Mobile and SpaceX received STAs in November, and their beta program is just now starting. T-Mobile users say the service has gaps, but when it works, it works well. AT&T and Verizon haven’t shared a timeline for when they’ll launch their satellite service, but another AST SpaceMobile partner could act as a proxy.
AST SpaceMobile has teamed up with a number of carriers around the world, including the U.K.’s Vodafone, which just this week made a video call using BlueBird satellites. The company plans to offer commercial direct-to-smartphone broadband service “in late 2025 and 2026.”
