Verizon and AT&T have both achieved a significant milestone in the journey towards global connectivity. Following a partnership with satellite manufacturer AST SpaceMobile, both telecommunications companies have announced that they have made successful cellphone-to-satellite video calls. Verizon’s first call of its kind utilized two mobile devices, one connected to a satellite, the other connected to the company’s terrestrial network. Both companies’ tests used AST SpaceMobile’s recently-launched BlueBird satellites, which will part of a commercial satellite network in the near future.
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“This breakthrough marks a new era in cellular to satellite connectivity in the United States that enables seamless data transmissions – not just texts – in the rare instance a terrestrial cellular network is not available,” said Hans Vestberg, Chairman and CEO of Verizon. “Adding this layer of ability – not only to text someone, but to be able to call, video chat, or send files – whether in the wilderness, or in a remote part of a lake community, will only enhance the reliability of our customers’ connectivity and communication experience.”
