AST SpaceMobile has just announced the success of 4G cellular communication via satellite.
The future of our communications could one day go directly through satellites. Apple already offers with its iPhone 14, to launch SOS calls thanks to this system, and Samsung has even followed suit. It is a first successful experience recently which should make it possible to accelerate the file.
Communications go through space
Could we one day switch from terrestrial antennas to satellites to use our smartphones? This is what many manufacturers are aiming for, including, first and foremost, Samsung. And it is precisely a phone from the South Korean giant, a Galaxy S22, which was used to allow this great feat.
Indeed, the satellite designer AST SpaceMobile has announced that it has succeeded, in collaboration with the American telephone service operator AT&T, in making a two-way voice call using the company’s low Earth orbit satellite, the BlueWalker 3.
” By achieving double-digit download speeds in satellite-to-smartphone testing, we’re one step closer to ensuring that people across the United States can stay connected no matter where they go. find “, rejoiced the person in charge at AT&T Chris Sambar.
From 4G to 5G
More specifically, the tests conducted in Hawaii repeatedly made it possible to establish 4G connections with download speeds of 10 Mbps. A success that is only ever a first step for the company, already trying to improve speeds. And to do this, tests will soon be conducted using the same kind of satellite, but this time with a 5G connection.
Other companies are also present in the same niche. SpaceX, which with its Starlink network already offers internet access by satellite, wishes to go further and test during this year 2023 a potential telephone communication service. This project could be done in collaboration with one of the rivals of AT&T, namely T-Mobile.
Source : Engadget
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