AT&T has teamed up with satellite designer and manufacturer AST SpaceMobile to bring satellite connectivity to its subscribers to ensure they won't be without connectivity in areas without signals from its land-based network. In February, AST SpaceMobile received permission from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to test its technology.
T-Mobile and Verizon have already launched their satellite services. AT&T seems to be feeling the pressure as the company launched a market campaign with rollout dates, only to pull it back.
The company is seemingly hoping to roll out satellite texting for certain compatible devices this year and call support in late 2026.
It's not clear why the ad was removed, but it seems to hint at a delay. AST SpaceMobile only has five of its BlueBird satellites in orbit and hopes to launch around 45 to 60 more by 2026 to offer satellite-fueled texting, calling, and data. This will be shared by its various partners, including Verizon, which is currently relying on another partner for its satellite program.
AST SpaceMobile looks to be more ambitious than T-Mobile. It says that its satellites are bigger and more capable than those used by T-Mobile and Apple.
However, it's one thing to commit to something and another to deliver. T-Mobile is inching closer to a public rollout and might offer data and voice capabilities soon, provided its plans don't get derailed by competitors.
AST SpaceMobile, on the other hand, still has regulatory hurdles to jump over before it can connect its satellites to AT&T and Verizon's subscribers using their spectrum holdings, per TMF Associates analyst Tim Farrar. The company's huge satellites may have difficulty getting into orbit.
And, skepticism aside, AST SpaceMobile's FCC filing doesn't inspire much confidence in its ability to support a wide-scale rollout anytime soon.
First of all, AST SpaceMobile's testing for AT&T will initially be limited to FirstNet, the dedicated network for first responders commissioned by the US government. Moreover, testing will only be conducted with 45 smartphones, making you question the service's capacity.
Recommended Stories
AT&T's satellite partner AST SpaceMobile will also provide voice and data services
One promising aspect is that the company says that it aims to provide voice and data services to first responders, hinting customers won't be stuck with texting only. And AST SpaceMobile will offer these capabilities while complying with strict power limits for which T-Mobile's partner SpaceX got a waiver.
AT&T's initial testing will help it to eventually launch a nationwide direct-to-cell service.
Did you enjoy reading this article?
There's more to explore with a FREE members account.
Anam Hamid is a computer scientist turned tech journalist who has a keen interest in the tech world, with a particular focus on smartphones and tablets. She has previously written for Android Headlines and has also been a ghostwriter for several tech and car publications. Anam is not a tech hoarder and believes in using her gadgets for as long as possible. She is concerned about smartphone addiction and its impact on future generations, but she also appreciates the convenience that phones have brought into our lives. Anam is excited about technological advancements like folding screens and under-display sensors, and she often wonders about the future of technology. She values the overall experience of a device more than its individual specs and admires companies that deliver durable, high-quality products. In her free time, Anam enjoys reading, scrolling through Reddit and Instagram, and occasionally refreshing her programming skills through tutorials.
A discussion is a place, where people can voice their opinion, no matter if it
is positive, neutral or negative. However, when posting, one must stay true to the topic, and not just share some
random thoughts, which are not directly related to the matter.
Things that are NOT allowed:
Off-topic talk - you must stick to the subject of discussion
Offensive, hate speech - if you want to say something, say it politely
Spam/Advertisements - these posts are deleted
Multiple accounts - one person can have only one account
Impersonations and offensive nicknames - these accounts get banned
Moderation is done by humans. We try to be as objective as possible and moderate with zero bias. If you think a
post should be moderated - please, report it.
Have a question about the rules or why you have been moderated/limited/banned? Please,
contact us.
FCC OKs Cingular\'s purchase of AT&T Wireless
Things that are NOT allowed: