AT&T Satellite Solutions - Stay Connected. Everywhere.

 

We’re working with AST SpaceMobile to one day offer a full suite of connectivity: voice, data, text, and video services in remote, off-grid locations. Our customers will have access to a satellite-based cellular network with a standard smartphone – no special device is needed. While we’re preparing to launch this new service, our customers with capable devices already have access to satellite features including peer-to-peer messaging and emergency satellite services.1 

 

Public Safety-Grade Satellite Communications

Emergencies don’t know zip codes, and connectivity is key for public safety in remote areas. 

We are designing satellite connectivity via FirstNet with first responders and public safety in mind—giving them the same unique, mission-critical capabilities on FirstNet that they are already used to, like push-to-talk services. 

  • April 2023: First 2-way voice call over AT&T spectrum

  • June 2023: First over-the-top video application call over AT&T spectrum

  • January 2024: Public safety's mission-critical capabilities and First Priority® successfully tested in collaboration with the First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet Authority) 

  • May 2024: AT&T and AST SpaceMobile enter into a definitive commercial agreement

  • September 2024: First 5 commercial satellites launched, called BlueBirds

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Frequently asked questions

We’re working together with AST SpaceMobile to fill outdoor coverage gaps using a satellite-based cellular network that is designed to integrate with our wireless network. This service will connect with our customers’ existing devices in remote and off-grid locations. The service will work best when there is an unobstructed view of the sky, but it will work in buildings and other places. More detail will be provided as the service is deployed.

In September, we successfully launched the first five commercial satellites, called BlueBirds. These large arrays of antennas are designed to reach standard smartphones directly at cellular broadband speeds for voice, data and video and other non-communications government applications. The BlueBird satellites’ beams are designed to support a capacity of up to 40 MHz, enabling peak data transmission speeds of up to 120 Mbps. They will target approximately 100% nationwide coverage from space with over 5,600 coverage cells in the United States.

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Nope! You can use your phone like you normally do. The enhanced connectivity for first responders, businesses and consumers won’t require any special equipment - just an everyday cell phone.

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It’s still too early to give a specific date, but now that we have a commercial agreement with AST, we’ll be working towards commercial launch. This agreement is the next step in our industry leadership to use emerging satellite technologies to provide services to consumers and businesses in locations where connectivity was not previously feasible. 

This service is planned for consumers, enterprise business, small & medium sized business, FirstNet, and IoT.

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Yes! Nearly half of AT&T customers already have access to peer-to-peer messaging and emergency satellite services.1

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We are focused on continental United States for the initial roll out of service. However, driven by its mission to help eliminate connectivity gaps globally, AST SpaceMobile has signed agreements with more than 40 mobile operators worldwide and has more than 90 partners across the globe, so service could be offered elsewhere by international providers.

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AST’s satellites have the largest Low Earth Orbit active antenna array ever deployed. This large array is designed to provide better coverage and performance and reduce power requirements for the device to reach the satellite (improving throughput and battery life) compared to other potential solutions. Simply put, we won’t need as many satellites as our competitors. Plus, the enhanced connectivity for first responders, businesses and consumers won’t require any special equipment - just an everyday cell phone.

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FirstNet is built for public safety’s mission needs. That’s why we’re designing satellite connectivity via FirstNet to one day give first responders the unique benefits and capabilities like mission critical push-to-talk that set the terrestrial FirstNet network apart from non-public safety networks.

Satellite-to-cellular connectivity will be complimentary to and extend the reach of the FirstNet network for first responders in rural or off-grid locations, helping them stay connected after disasters or during emergencies.

While it’s still too early to give a specific date, we envision select first responders on FirstNet trial public-safety-grade satellite communications later this year after the FCC’s authorization in April. We are excited to continue our work with the FirstNet Authority to explore how satellite will be used in public safety communications and bring new capabilities to first responders on America’s public safety network.

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1 For more information on availability and how to use, visit here for iPhone and here for Pixel.

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