US telco giant AT&T has updated its customers on the impact that satellite operator AST SpaceMobile (AST) will make when its communication services go ‘live’.
AT&T told customers: “We’re working with AST SpaceMobile to one day offer a full suite of connectivity: voice, data, text, and video services in remote, off-grid locations. Our customers will have access to a satellite-based cellular network with a standard smartphone – no special device is needed. While we’re preparing to launch this new service, our customers with capable devices already have access to satellite features including peer-to-peer messaging and emergency satellite services.”
The information came in an updated ‘Satellite Solutions’ page on AT&T’s website.
The information continued with confirmation that the AST signals will work within buildings, noting: “This service will connect with our customers’ existing devices in remote and off-grid locations. The service will work best when there is an unobstructed view of the sky, but it will work in buildings and other places. More detail will be provided as the service is deployed.”
“In September [2024], we successfully launched the first five commercial satellites, called BlueBirds. These large arrays of antennas are designed to reach standard smartphones directly at cellular broadband speeds for voice, data and video and other non-communications government applications. The BlueBird satellites’ beams are designed to support a capacity of up to 40 MHz, enabling peak data transmission speeds of up to 120 Mbps. They will target approximately 100 percent nationwide coverage from space with over 5,600 coverage cells in the US,” AT&T stated.
AT&T stressed that there was no need to upgrade to a new smart phone, advising: “The enhanced connectivity for first responders, businesses and consumers won’t require any special equipment – just an everyday cell phone.”
There’s no firm date given for when services will start and which will also aid Verizon in the US, Vodafone around the world and Rakuten in Japan. AT&T said: “It’s still too early to give a specific date, but now that we have a commercial agreement with AST, we’ll be working towards commercial launch. This agreement is the next step in our industry leadership to use emerging satellite technologies to provide services to consumers and businesses in locations where connectivity was not previously feasible.”
AST has signed agreements with more than 40 mobile operators worldwide and has more than 90 partners across the globe, so service could be offered elsewhere by international providers.
Meanwhile, investment firm Scotia Bank has updated its advice to clients on AST saying it reiterates its ‘Outperform’ guidance and a target share price of $47.90. AST was trading at $25.32 per share. The bank suggests that there could be a ‘beta’ launch in the US as early as Q4 2025. That may be optimistic, but certainly by the end of 2026 AST will have a complement of its satellites sufficient to cover the globe.
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Categories: Articles, Broadband, Mobile, Satellite
Tags: AST SpaceMobile, , Verizon
