AT&T and Verizon Connect First Cellphone-To-Satellite Video Calls (theverge.com) 6
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:2)