T · News · 20261105N

Satellite Dead-Zone Joint Venture

AT&T INC. · 2026-11-05 · Importance 31 · Surprise 42

AT&T reported what it called the industry’s first successful handoff between its ground wireless network and AST SpaceMobile’s direct-to-device satellite service. A separate report said the October 2026 trial used support from Ericsson and Nokia to connect everyday smartphones in remote areas without special hardware. The capability could extend coverage for rural users and support future services for emergency responders and enterprise customers.

Key facts

• AT&T completed what it believes was the industry's first handoff between its ground-based cellular network and AST SpaceMobile's direct-to-device satellite service in October 2026, with technology support from Ericsson and Nokia, connecting everyday smartphones in remote areas without requiring special hardware. source