A prototype satellite designed to beam internet to unmodified smartphones has done just that, successfully delivering 4G speeds to off-the-shelf phones based in Hawaii.
On Wednesday, the satellite’s developer, AST SpaceMobile, announced the achievement, which brings the company a step closer to delivering satellite-based broadband to locations "where cellular coverage is either unreliable or simply does not exist today."
The prototype satellite, dubbed BlueWalker 3, was able to deliver download speeds reaching up to 10.3Mbps. “Engineers conducted download speed tests in Hawaii during June using multiple everyday, off-the-shelf smartphones,” the company said.
The satellite was able to pull this off because it essentially acts as a large cell tower that’s floating in low orbit at around 310 miles above the planet. One side of the satellite is made up of solar panels to collect energy. The other is made up of antennas, which can beam data to smartphones on the ground over an estimated field of view of over 300,000 square miles.
AST launched the satellite back in Sept. and since then it’s been partnering with cellular providers on testing BlueWalker 3’s capabilities. This included using the satellite to conduct phone calls between Texas and Japan back in April.
The company is now showing the same satellite can deliver not just voice, but data. To deliver the 4G download speeds, AST said it used radio spectrum from AT&T and Nokia’s RAN technology. “Evaluation of BlueWalker 3’s capabilities continues, with enablement of 5G cellular broadband as the next major test activity,” the company added.
When AST will begin offering commercial cellular services through its satellites remains unclear. But the company plans on launching five "BlueBird" satellites next year. AT&T, which is an AST partner, will likely be among the first carriers to offer the connectivity.
However, AST and AT&T are bound to face competition. Other companies including SpaceX, T-Mobile and Apple are also working on delivering space-based cellular services too.