AT&T and AST SpaceMobile achieve satellite video call using regular smartphones

A satellite video call has been completed with regular smartphones using AT&T spectrum and powered by AST SpaceMobile satellites. This demonstration was made possible through the BlueBird satellites, which were launched in September 2024 and enabled upcoming commercial services.

This achievement builds on earlier milestones that cement the collaboration’s position at the frontier of satellite-powered wireless communication. In June 2023, AST SpaceMobile made the first video call over AT&T spectrum using its BlueWalker 3 satellite.

Now, with the BlueBird satellites, a more robust system is coming into play to offer a tangible leap towards universal connectivity.

A satellite video call without specialist equipment

The video call was initiated by AST SpaceMobile from Midland, Texas, and received by AT&T in Dallas. It relied on space-based communication technology integrated seamlessly with everyday smartphones—proving that such interactions are possible without requiring any specialist equipment in the user’s hands.

Jeff McElfresh, Chief Operating Officer at AT&T, said: “We know our customers want connectivity wherever they are, and they deserve a simple, seamless experience from one provider.

”We are striving to provide everyone, from urban centres to remote areas, with access to reliable connectivity. This is about more than technology; it’s about empowering people and communities everywhere.”

For an industry defined by continual innovation, the magnitude of this achievement signifies not just technological progress but also a societal shift towards greater inclusivity in global communications.

From public safety to extraordinary connectivity

The collaboration between AT&T and AST SpaceMobile is about much more than enabling mobile calls—it’s about delivering reliable, mission-critical solutions.

AT&T, in close coordination with the FirstNet Authority, has already tested pivotal features such as mission-critical push-to-talk services alongside “always-on” priority and pre-emption capabilities.

Leveraging these features with satellite technology will make AT&T the only provider able to offer such advanced communication functions to America’s first responders through FirstNet—the nation’s largest and most comprehensive public safety network.  

AT&T is already integrating emergency connectivity features into its existing suite of offerings for customers with compatible devices. These include peer-to-peer messaging and access to emergency services via satellite.

A glimpse into the future

The significance of connecting consumer-grade smartphones to satellites extends far beyond the technical achievement itself; it signals a future where “the sky is no longer the limit.”

With satellite-borne connectivity standards evolving rapidly, AT&T and AST SpaceMobile are paving the way for a reality where two-way broadband communication is available in even the most isolated corners of the globe.

Beyond enhancing day-to-day convenience, this has profound implications for public safety, disaster communications, and emergency services. For first responders and those in hard-to-reach areas, it could mean the difference between isolation and life-saving connectivity.

Discussing the broader potential of their work, Jeff McElfresh noted: “This is more than about connecting phones to satellites—it’s about bridging the digital divide and ensuring that everyone, everywhere, can be part of an interconnected future.

”This technology empowers communities and creates opportunities for people no matter how remote their location.”

This latest satellite video call using BlueBird satellites follows a similar demonstration by Vodafone in the UK last month.

See also: Eutelsat, MediaTek, and Airbus trial 5G NTN satellite connectivity

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Tags: 5G, ast spacemobile, at&T, bluebird, connectivity, mobile, Networks, satellites, space, telecoms