AST SpaceMobile takes another step towards its goal of providing a space-based mobile communications network – it will turn any standard smartphone into a satellite phone, no additional equipment required. Company its network of five commercial satellites is scheduled to be launched into low-Earth orbit from Cape Canaveral, Florida, on September 12.
The company’s five BlueBird satellites are equipped with communications arrays that aim to provide standard-ready smartphones with the same voice, data and video speeds as a broadband tower. Once in orbit, the AST satellites will provide “uninterrupted mobile broadband service in the United States and select markets globally.” The network can allow unmodified cell phones to function as satellite phones, allowing cell users to communicate even in areas with limited broadband tower coverage, such as rural communities or national parks.
Initially, this BlueBird network will be focused on serving beta test customers from the AT&T and Verizon networks. AST concluded the contract to provide satellite communications to its customers in May. The company also worked with AT&T to complete the first successful two-way voice call over its satellites followed by a successful 4G data download test .
