Telecommunications company AT&T has achieved a major milestone by completing the first-ever two-way audio call using satellites with a standard smartphone. This was made possible through AST SpaceMobile’s BlueWalker 3 satellite technology, which enabled seamless communication between AT&T’s location in Midland, Texas and Japanese mobile carrier Rakuten using a Samsung Galaxy S22 smartphone.

The use of satellites could help improve cellular access in developing countries and in areas in the US with poor or no cellular coverage, commonly known as “dead zones.” AT&T plans to leverage satellite technology to offer cellular broadband that covers the full range from 2G to 5G on a global basis.

A Significant Milestone for AST SpaceMobile and AT&T

The successful two-way audio call made by AT&T using standard smartphone technology and satellite connectivity represents a significant milestone for AST SpaceMobile and the telecommunication industry as a whole. This is because the achievement is a critical step in overcoming one of the biggest challenges in delivering cellular broadband from space. As satellite technology continues to evolve, it could provide a solution to cellular coverage gaps in many parts of the world.

Potential for Improved Cellular Access in Developing Countries

The technology used by AT&T and AST SpaceMobile to enable space-based calls could potentially provide an effective solution for improving cellular coverage in developing countries. Many countries in Africa and Asia lack reliable cellular connectivity, a challenge that satellite technology can help address. In addition, the ability to make calls using standard smartphones would eliminate the need for costly satellite phones, making cellular communication more accessible in areas with limited or no terrestrial coverage.

Satellite Technology as a Solution to Cellular “Dead Zones”

In the US, many rural communities and national parks suffer from a lack of cellular coverage, commonly referred to as “dead zones.” The use of satellite technology to deliver cellular broadband could help overcome this challenge by providing coverage in areas that are difficult to reach with traditional terrestrial networks. With AT&T’s plan to deliver cellular broadband from space, it is expected that cellular coverage in “dead zones” will improve significantly, providing users with reliable connectivity regardless of their location.

Leveraging Satellite Technology for Global Cellular Broadband

AT&T plans to leverage satellite technology to provide global cellular broadband coverage from 2G to 5G. This would enable seamless communication between people regardless of their location, as long as they have a standard smartphone. With the potential of satellite technology to overcome traditional cellular coverage gaps, it could be an effective solution for providing universal connectivity, especially in developing countries.

Conclusion

The successful space-based call by AT&T using standard smartphone technology and satellite connectivity represents a significant milestone for the telecommunication industry. This achievement could provide a solution to cellular coverage gaps in many parts of the world, especially in developing countries. With plans to provide global cellular broadband coverage from space, it is expected that the use of satellite technology will help improve cellular connectivity and offer a more reliable solution for overcoming cellular “dead zones.”