AST SpaceMobile, in collaboration with AT&T, recently achieved a groundbreaking milestone by streaming an AT&T commercial from space to a smartphone. This achievement was made possible through AST SpaceMobile’s BlueWalker 3 satellite, currently in orbit and considered the largest-ever commercial communications array in low Earth orbit.
The commercial, featuring actors Ben Stiller and Jordan Spieth playing golf, highlights the convenience and reach of AT&T’s satellite-based connectivity. In the commercial, Stiller finds himself lost in the wild and relies on an AT&T satellite call to seek help. AST SpaceMobile successfully streamed this commercial via the BlueWalker 3 satellite while passing over a remote region of Hawaii.
In a video showcasing the test, AST SpaceMobile RF engineer Vani Murthy Vellanki demonstrates the streaming capability by playing the AT&T commercial on a smartphone. The video offers a glimpse into the functionality of the satellite-to-cellular service, showcasing the potential for seamless communication between space and Earth.
While AST SpaceMobile continues to make strides in the field of cellular non-terrestrial networks (NTN), the company has faced setbacks in the launch of its anticipated constellation. Due to supplier issues, the first five Bluebird satellites have experienced delays. Initially planned for launch before the end of 2023, the satellites are now expected to be transported to the launch site between July and August 2024.
Despite these challenges, AST SpaceMobile remains at the forefront of innovation in satellite communication. The successful streaming test marks a significant achievement, as it is the first time a commercial has been streamed to a cell phone directly from space. This breakthrough opens up possibilities for enhanced communication capabilities and expanded access to remote areas.
The collaboration between AST SpaceMobile and AT&T, along with investments from Google and Vodafone, signifies the growing interest and support for NTN technologies. With a focus on both emergency services and high-data-rate applications like video streaming, the development of cellular connectivity from space introduces new possibilities and advancements in the way we communicate.
The achievement of streaming an AT&T commercial from space to a smartphone using AST SpaceMobile’s BlueWalker 3 satellite highlights the potential of satellite-based connectivity in expanding communication capabilities. This breakthrough not only showcases the convenience and reach of AT&T’s satellite-based connectivity but also demonstrates the functionality of the satellite-to-cellular service provided by AST SpaceMobile. The successful test marks a significant milestone as it is the first time a commercial has been streamed directly to a cell phone from space.
AST SpaceMobile, a company focused on cellular non-terrestrial networks (NTN), continues to be a leader in satellite communication innovation. However, the company has faced setbacks in the launch of its anticipated constellation. Supplier issues have caused delays in the launch of the first five Bluebird satellites, which were originally planned for launch before the end of 2023. The satellites are now expected to be transported to the launch site between July and August 2024.
Despite these challenges, the collaboration between AST SpaceMobile and AT&T, as well as investments from Google and Vodafone, demonstrates the growing interest and support for NTN technologies. The development of cellular connectivity from space has significant implications for emergency services and high-data-rate applications such as video streaming. It opens up possibilities for enhanced communication capabilities and expanded access to remote areas.
To learn more about AST SpaceMobile and its groundbreaking achievements, you can visit their official website at AST SpaceMobile.
The source of the article is from the blog elblog.pl