4G Data Transmitted from Space to Regular Phone in Successful Satellite Test
AST SpaceMobile, in collaboration with AT&T, achieved a significant breakthrough earlier this year by connecting a standard Samsung Galaxy S22 to a low-Earth orbit satellite for a two-way voice call. This achievement was a significant milestone in satellite-based cellular communication. The company has now announced that it is one step closer to making this technology available to the general public.
On Wednesday, AST shared that it recently conducted several tests in Hawaii, where its engineers saw download speeds of 10 Mbps from the company’s BlueWalker 3 satellite to unmodified phones on the ground. “Successfully achieving double-digit download speeds during satellite-to-smartphone testing takes us one step closer to ensuring people across the United States can stay connected regardless of their location,” said AT&T Chief Network Officer Chris Sambar.
As a next step, AST hopes to connect the phone to the BW3 via a 5G signal. SpaceX Falcon 9 carried the prototype satellite into low Earth orbit in September. At 693 square feet, with the largest antenna of any commercial satellite to date, BW3 is easily one of the brightest objects in the night sky, making it difficult for astronomers to study.
AT&T is one of the few US carriers willing to use satellites to serve underserved rural communities. In 2021, Verizon partnered with Amazon to use the company’s Project Kuiper satellite network for wireless use. Recently, T-Mobile said it was working with SpaceX to test Starlink-compatible devices. Like AT&T, the carrier has said existing phones should work with its satellite offering.
