AT&T and AST SpaceMobile Receive FCC Green Light for Satellite-to-Cell Tests

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has authorized AT&T (T) and AST SpaceMobile (ASTS) to initiate testing of direct satellite-to-phone connectivity using a portion of the wireless spectrum dedicated to public safety. The approval allows the companies to conduct trials over Band 14 — the frequency band licensed to the FirstNet public safety network — via AST SpaceMobile’s (ASTS) BlueBird satellites currently orbiting the Earth.

This approval is part of a wider push to expand the reach of FirstNet’s critical communication services beyond areas covered by traditional cell towers. As the designated operator of FirstNet, AT&T (T) is working with AST SpaceMobile (ASTS) to determine how satellite-powered signals can strengthen and extend FirstNet's capabilities, especially in isolated, rural, or disaster-affected regions.

Later this year, a selected group of FirstNet users in the public safety sector will engage in trials to assess satellite-enabled service tailored for emergency use. These efforts aim to deliver dependable service in areas where cell towers are out of range or offline.

“Satellite connectivity on FirstNet is being built with public safety’s unique needs in mind,” said Matt Walsh, assistant vice president of FirstNet and NextGen 9-1-1 products at AT&T (T). “First responders need more than the minimum, and we are excited to continue building out our comprehensive network to serve the public safety community.”

This isn’t AT&T’s (T) initial step into satellite-based services. The FirstNet system already includes a specialized fleet of over 180 satellite-enabled deployable units, such as Satellite Cell on Light Trucks (SatCOLTs), that can be quickly sent to support communications during emergencies. These assets have played crucial roles in past disaster response efforts, supplying temporary wireless coverage when infrastructure is compromised.

Moreover, FirstNet pioneered the ability for public safety agencies to obtain and operate their own portable cellular infrastructure. Over 500 of these agency-managed systems are currently deployed nationwide, giving local responders greater autonomy and flexibility.

FirstNet users with eligible devices can already tap into satellite features, such as direct messaging and emergency communication in areas with poor or nonexistent cellular coverage. These tools help maintain essential communication links even in the absence of standard wireless service.

The upcoming testing with AST SpaceMobile (ASTS) is expected to advance these innovations by evaluating how satellite-to-smartphone connections can deliver a standard mobile experience — all without the need for special gear or equipment. The broader vision is to enable regular smartphones to link directly with satellites just like they do with nearby cellular towers.

While AT&T (T) is actively working with AST SpaceMobile (ASTS) to develop satellite-to-phone technology, other telecom giants are also exploring their own approaches. T-Mobile (TMUS) has partnered with SpaceX to create Starlink-powered mobile service, starting with SMS and eventually expanding to voice and internet access. This beta program launched publicly in February.

Verizon (VZ), for its part, is collaborating with Amazon’s (AMZN) Project Kuiper to examine satellite solutions geared toward enterprise users. However, Verizon has not yet committed to offering a direct-to-cell product for consumers. These varying strategies demonstrate the increasing industry interest in satellite connectivity as a means to eliminate coverage blind spots and enhance service resilience.

In a notable development last year, AT&T (T) successfully completed a two-way voice call using a standard mobile phone connected to AST’s (ASTS) BlueWalker 3 satellite. That call, conducted between Texas and Japan, validated the concept of mobile-to-satellite communication without any need for proprietary hardware — paving the way for today’s FirstNet trials and the FCC’s recent testing approval.

As AT&T (T) and AST SpaceMobile (ASTS) move ahead with their collaborative testing efforts, the results could have lasting impact on public safety communications — combining terrestrial networks with space-based links to build a robust, always-available hybrid infrastructure.

This article was written by: Anonymous

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