A Texas-based company called AST SpaceMobile, specializing in satellite communication, made a groundbreaking announcement today. The company successfully transmitted a 4G LTE signal from space that was picked up by “everyday, off-the-shelf smartphones.” This achievement marks a significant milestone in the telecommunications industry.
AST SpaceMobile utilized the BlueWalker 3 (BW3) satellite for this test. The company plans to push the boundaries further by attempting a 5G connection in their next major trial. AST SpaceMobile proudly labels their recent accomplishment as a “world first.”
The testing took place in Hawaii, utilizing AT&T’s spectrum and Nokia RAN (Radio Access Network) technology. The LTE signal, beamed from AST’s satellite in low Earth orbit, reached speeds of up to 10.3Mbps. This data rate is sufficient for activities such as video streaming, general internet usage, and typical cellphone usage.
This successful testing follows a recent achievement by AST SpaceMobile in April. During that test, the company managed to establish an audio call between a Samsung Galaxy S22 in Texas and an iPhone in Japan, all through satellite communication. These achievements demonstrate the potential for enhanced global connectivity through space-based telecommunications solutions.
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An essential element of this achievement is the BW3 satellite itself. It is a massive commercial communication array, covering an area of 693 square feet, equivalent to the size of a two- or three-car garage. This size makes it the most extensive communication array ever deployed in low Earth orbit. Remarkably, the BW3 operates using the same 3GPP standard that is commonly found in ground-based cell networks.
AST SpaceMobile’s chairman and CEO, Abel Avellan, highlights the significance of this achievement. Avellan emphasizes that this milestone marks a significant step towards their goal of bringing broadband services to areas of the world where cellular coverage is either unreliable or entirely unavailable. This development will allow users in these underserved regions to enjoy essential communication services, including texting, voice calls, internet browsing, file downloads, and even video streaming, all through a signal transmitted from space.
The growing demand for connectivity in remote and underserved regions drives the need for innovative solutions such as AST SpaceMobile’s satellite-based communication platform. Around the world, there are still vast areas where traditional ground-based cellular networks either cannot reach or provide inconsistent coverage. By leveraging satellite technology, which offers global coverage, companies like AST SpaceMobile aim to bridge this digital divide and bring crucial connectivity to these regions.
This achievement also has broader implications for the future of space-based telecommunications. As space technology advances, satellite communication systems will become increasingly capable of providing reliable and high-speed connectivity to users worldwide. AST SpaceMobile’s successful transmission of a 4G LTE signal from space to regular smartphones demonstrates the potential for satellite-based networks to serve as an effective alternative to ground-based communication infrastructure.
In conclusion, AST SpaceMobile’s recent achievement in transmitting a 4G LTE signal from space to everyday smartphones showcases the tremendous potential of satellite communication in expanding global connectivity. With the successful testing of the BlueWalker 3 satellite, the company is now focused on pushing the boundaries even further by attempting a 5G connection. This milestone marks a significant step towards AST SpaceMobile’s mission of bringing broadband services to areas currently lacking reliable cellular coverage. As space technology continues to advance, satellite-based communication platforms like AST SpaceMobile will play an increasingly vital role in bridging the digital divide and connecting underserved regions to the rest of the world.
