First 5G connection… by satellite!

Mobile coverage is today provided by a network of antennas, leaving areas that are not equipped behind. But one day these cellular deserts could come to life thanks to a relay provided by satellite. AT&T and AST SpaceMobile are working on the subject and recently succeeded for the first time in transmitting a 5G signal… through space.

A word to Abel Avellan, CEO of AST SpaceMobile

Specifically, the companies made a 5G call on September 8 from Hawaii, to the (unmodified) Galaxy S22 of a Vodafone engineer in Madrid, through the AT&T network via an AST BlueWalker 3 test satellite SpaceMobile. Of course, reception took place in an area not covered by 5G. “Achieving the first high-speed 5G cellular connections from space directly to mobile phones is yet another significant advancement in telecommunications that AST SpaceMobile has initiated,” said Abel Avellan, CEO of AST SpaceMobile. We are more confident than ever that high-speed cellular connectivity in space can help transform Internet connectivity across the world by filling the gaps and connecting those who are not yet connected.”