Both Verizon (NYSE: VZ) and AT&T (NYSE: T), working with AST SpaceMobile (NASDAQ: ASTS) announced yesterday they have successfully trialed a live video call between two mobile devices with one connected via satellite and the other connected via a terrestrial network connection.
The video call’s demonstration is a result of the recent approval from the FCC to AST SpaceMobile authorizing testing using Verizon’s spectrum in the United States. This approval enables AST SpaceMobile’s first five commercial BlueBird satellites, operating in low Earth orbit today, to test satellite connections with smartphones supporting voice, full data and video applications, and other native cellular capabilities. The BlueBird satellites were launched last September.
AST completed the first video call using AT&T spectrum in June 2023, using the BlueWalker 3 satellite. AST SpaceMobile initiated the video call from Midland, TX to AT&T in Dallas.
“This breakthrough marks a new era in cellular to satellite connectivity in the United States that enables seamless data transmissions – not just texts – in the rare instance a terrestrial cellular network is not available,” said Hans Vestberg, Chairman and CEO of Verizon. “Adding this layer of ability – not only to text someone, but to be able to call, video chat, or send files – whether in the wilderness, or in a remote part of a lake community, will only enhance the reliability of our customers’ connectivity and communication experience.”
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