Cellular broadband satellite communication (SATCOM) startup AST SpaceMobile Inc. has been cleared to launch what it claims are the largest low Earth orbit (LEO) commercial satellites to bring space-based cellular networks to everyday smartphones.
Under an initial license from the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC), the grant authorizes AST SpaceMobile to launch its first five BlueBird LEO satellites and operate V, S and UHF frequencies to support gateway, feeder link and telemetry, track and control operations.
AST SpaceMobile said the grant is a critical step in:
- Closing the digital divide
- Expanding access to emergency services
- Accelerating digital transformation
- Advancing U.S. direct-to-device regulation
AST SpaceMobile plans to launch the first five commercial BlueBird satellites in the first week of September after completing the manufacturing, assembly and environmental testing of the facility. The satellites will be shipped to Cape Canaveral, Florida, where it will be launched into space via SpaceX’s rockets.
What is SATCOM cellular?
Satellite communication is the process of communicating cellular and other connectivity options off extraterrestrial satellites orbiting the Earth. This connectivity bypasses the need for cell towers and repeaters in favor of space broadband.
Initially, SATCOM connectivity was used for providing cellular and other connectivity options to hard-to-reach areas or rural land that either does not have the infrastructure or is impossible to install the correct equipment. It was also used for government uses for reconnaissance or military communications.
However, now the technology is gaining traction as use for everyday cellular consumers as the benefits include:
- Staying connected anywhere
- Consistent connection
- Disaster proof
- Global reach
- Secure communication
Not surprisingly, cellular SATCOMs are gaining traction among telecoms as well that are quickly adopting the technology as potentially a replacement or alternative to traditional cellular connections. The benefits of the technology could be added as a supplement to terrestrial telecom connectivity by increasing coverage.
This especially could be handy as telecoms look to add cellular connections for in-flight entertainment and expand GPS navigation.
AST SpaceMobile has secured investments from many U.S. telecoms like AT&T, Verizon and Google as well as Europe’s Vodafone telecom. Globally, the company has 45 agreements with over 45 mobile network operators that service 2.8 billion existing subscribers.
