AST SpaceMobile announced that its network of five BlueBird satellites is set to launch into low-Earth orbit on September 12 from Cape Canaveral, Florida, taking a step closer to providing a space-based mobile communications network that can turn any standard smartphone into a satellite phone without the need for additional hardware. These satellites are equipped with communications arrays that aim to offer the same voice, data, and video speeds as a broadband tower to standard smartphones. Once in orbit, the satellites will provide non-continuous cellular broadband service across the United States and select global markets, allowing unmodified mobile phones to function as satellite phones in areas with limited broadband tower coverage, like rural communities or national parks. Initially focusing on beta test customers from AT&T and Verizon networks, AST has secured deals with AT&T to offer satellite communication and successfully completed the first two-way voice call and 4G data download tests over its satellites in April 2023 and June 2023, respectively.
