AST SpaceMobile offered additional details about its plans and agreements with AT&T and Verizon regarding space-to-cellphone communications today. The company said it will use “a segment” of the 850 MHz band representing “complementary spectrum” from AT&T and Verizon to support 100% geographical coverage within the continental U.S.
Satellite operator AST previously announced plans to use spectrum in the 850 MHz band from both AT&T and Verizon to support the continental U.S. space-to-cellphone coverage. Today, AST said specifically that “the complementary spectrum of both AT&T and Verizon is utilized without reallocating any spectrum resources from the earth/ground/land-based networks of either company.”
The information came in the form of a letter from AST SpaceMobile CEO and Chairman Abel Avellan to AST partners, shareholders and future users of space-based cellular communications.
“You’ll have a seamless experience with either carrier,” Avellan wrote.
AST SpaceMobile 850 MHz
The space-to-cellphone coverage that AST will offer provides connectivity to conventional cell phones in remote areas where terrestrial cellular service is not available. It’s an advantage over traditional satellite phone service because it does not require customers to have a special device.
Avellan noted that AST is pursuing similar agreements with other carriers globally.
AT&T has been testing the space-to-cellphone technology with AST for months and recently announced plans to use AST’s service through 2030. More recently, Verizon announced its own deal with AST.
Both AT&T and Verizon have invested in AST.
Global wireless provider Vodafone is another investor in the company.
According to the AST SpaceMobile 850 MHz letter, the deals with AT&T and Verizon involve 5500 cellsites and about 70% of U.S. mobile users. The latter apparently is a reference to the size of AT&T and Verizon’s combined customer base.
T-Mobile has a similar space-to-cellphone deal with SpaceX.
The 850 MHz band is considered low-band spectrum, meaning that it provides greater range and better propagation in comparison with mid-band and high-band spectrum.
AST is deploying a constellation of low earth orbit (LEO) satellites to support the offering.
We reached out for additional details from AST SpaceMobile and will publish an update whenever we hear back from them.
