AT&T and Verizon Connect First Cellphone-To-Satellite Video Calls (theverge.com) 9
AT&T and Verizon have successfully completed their first cellphone-to-satellite video calls using AST SpaceMobile's satellites, marking a significant step toward commercial satellite networks. The Verge reports: Verizon has completed its first cellphone-to-satellite video call, while AT&T has completed its first using satellites that will be used as part of a commercial network. [...] Verizon pulled off "a live video call between two mobile devices with one connected via satellite and the other connected via Verizon's terrestrial network connection," according to a company press release.
In AT&T's case, "AT&T and AST SpaceMobile have successfully completed another video call by satellite to an everyday smartphone over AT&T spectrum," per AT&T's press release. Both phone companies relied on AST's constellation of five BlueBird satellites that were launched last September for the tests. AT&T's initial video call test happened in June 2023.
In AT&T's case, "AT&T and AST SpaceMobile have successfully completed another video call by satellite to an everyday smartphone over AT&T spectrum," per AT&T's press release. Both phone companies relied on AST's constellation of five BlueBird satellites that were launched last September for the tests. AT&T's initial video call test happened in June 2023.
Did they phone home? (Score:1)
ET wants to know.
So? (Score:2)
Is this impressive? I mean, "different phone networks interconnecting" sounds like a solved problem. I can make a voip call from my computer in north america and call a cell phone (or landline, if any still exist) in asia.
I believe that (some? all?) previous iterations of sat phones have been a separate network, but that sounds like an implementation detail, not a major hurdle.
Re: (Score:2)
I think this is more of a business feat and not so much extraordinary engineering.
Satellite phone providers had their little kingdom; they were a closed system, and the rates were astronomical.
Even then there were some Sat handsets with a dual function that can also be used with a SIM card.
I believe the accomplishment here is more along the lines of a business partnership which allows some interoperability with some of those Sat network kingdoms
Finally (Score:2)
Why call a satellite? (Score:2)
This is a courtesy call (Score:3)
Any practical benefit of satellite to mobile? (Score:2)
Is there a chance in hell of a phone connecting through a metal car top? A single-story roof? Or are these things going to be strictly marketed for outdoor / emergency use?
Re: (Score:2)
They make cars with sunroofs and roofs that can be opened.
You could also mount the antenna outside of whatever vehicle/building you want to use it in, early carphones did exactly this.
Big woop? (Score:2)
tldr; but my 85 year old mother surprised me when I thought to get her a rental Iiridium phone or the like for a recent trip since her iPhone already can connect to satellites. And I was under the impression for the last 30 years that the the Internet automatically uses even distant satellites not in LEO when traffic requires.. so yeah may not have read TFA or be up to date and don't know if iPhones will do FaceTime over sat but it sounds like "hooray we are only 30 years behind now"..