AT&T and AST SpaceMobile demo call handoff from cellular to satellite

AT&T and AST SpaceMobile demonstrated a handoff between AT&T's cellular network and AST SpaceMobile's direct-to-device satellite network, calling it a first-of-its-kind demonstration.

In the demonstration in late October, a phone call on AT&T's wireless network transferred to AST SpaceMobile's satellite network when the phone moved out of cellular coverage. Ericsson and Nokia technology was involved. Brian Walsh, principal product development engineering for AT&T, compared the complexity of the handoff to going from a highway to a moving plane. He said the connection worked "perfectly," and the handoff was shown in the engineering logs.

Robert Walters, AT&T's senior vice president of Network, said in a statement that the next phase is expected to include beta services under real-world conditions. "The broader objective is to progress ultimately to commercial service," he said.

Sourcesatellitetoday.com