First Space-Based 5G Call Promises End of Coverage Dead Zones

AST SpaceMobile, Inc., a Texas-based company, achieved a groundbreaking milestone in telecommunications by demonstrating space-based 5G connectivity technology. They placed a call from an unmodified Samsung Galaxy S22 smartphone in Maui, Hawaii, to a Vodafone engineer in Madrid, Spain, highlighting the potential of space-based networks to bridge connectivity gaps in remote areas.

This achievement builds upon their earlier successes in space-based voice calls and 4G connectivity, expanding their testing program to include 5G connections for a wide range of mobile services. The company’s collaboration with industry giants like Vodafone, AT&T, and Nokia has played a significant role in advancing space-based cellular broadband technology. They plan to launch five commercial BlueBird satellites in early 2024, further enhancing their global reach and connectivity capabilities.