AT&T and AST SpaceMobile recently demonstrated a handoff between AT&T’s cellular network and AST SpaceMobile’s direct-to-device satellite network, calling it a first-of-its-kind demonstration.
During the demonstration in late October, a phone call on AT&T’s wireless network seamlessly transferred to AST SpaceMobile’s satellite network when the phone moved out of cellular coverage. The demonstration Ericsson combined radio and core technology in AT&T’s network, which provided intelligent network automation to optimize handoffs, and Nokia radio access technology and mobility software.
Brian Walsh, principal product development engineering for AT&T, compared the complexity of the cellular to satellite handoff to going from a highway to a moving plane. Walsh stated the connection worked “perfectly,” and the handoff was shown in the engineering logs.
“The successful handoff is a significant milestone, but it’s not the finish line. The next phase is expected to include beta services under real-world conditions, allowing the companies to further refine performance,” Robert Walters, senior vice president of Network for AT&T said in a statement. “The broader objective is to progress ultimately to commercial service.”
AT&T has a commercial agreement with AST SpaceMobile for the company to provide space-based cellular broadband to AT&T’s customers through a revenue share model through 2030.
AST SpaceMobile expects to be able to start initial commercial service with around 45 satellites in orbit, and expects to hit that number around early 2027.
