AT&T and AST SpaceMobile made the first space-based voice call

Ever since the launch of satellite connectivity with the iPhone 14 series, the industry has witnessed a boom like never before. The possibility of people living or stranded in remote locations being able to connect to broadband cellular networks has prompted many companies to develop new technologies.

Now, AST SpaceMobile, in collaboration with AT&T, has recently achieved a significant milestone by making the first-ever space-based voice call from AT&T’s network in Midland, Texas, to an unmodified Samsung Galaxy S22 using the BlueWalker 3 (BW3) satellite.

AST claims that this breakthrough has the potential to revolutionize cellular coverage not only in the US but also in developing countries. This is because about 50% of the world’s population still lacks access to the newest communication standards, with many of them being people in third-world countries. Therefore, by using satellite connectivity, companies can provide internet services to these underserved areas at potentially lower deployment and maintenance costs than traditional networks.

“Achieving what many once considered impossible, we have reached the most significant milestone to date in our quest to deliver global cellular broadband from space. While we take a moment to celebrate this tremendous accomplishment, we remain focused on the path ahead and pivotal next steps that get us closer to our goal of transforming the way the world connects,” says Abel Avellan, CEO and chairman of AST SpaceMobile.

The Future of Satellite Internet

While this successful space voice call test by AST SpaceMobile and AT&T brings us one step closer to universal satellite-based cellular coverage, they are not alone in the race to build their satellite networks. Verizon has partnered with Amazon for Project Kuiper, which aims to deliver broadband satellite internet to underserved housing communities and industries. Similarly, T-Mobile has also teamed up with SpaceX to test satellite mobile coverage this year, claiming that existing plans will also include satellite access.