AT&T and AST SpaceMobile Complete Handoff Test Between Cellular and Satellite Networks

AT&T and AST SpaceMobile completed a test that transferred a connection from AT&T’s wireless network to AST’s satellite network, marking progress toward direct-to-phone service.

The handoff took place outside Granite Falls, Washington, at 11:15 a.m. ET (15:15 UTC) Oct. 21. The companies described it as the first successful transfer between a terrestrial cellular network and a direct-to-device satellite network, to their knowledge. They did not specify whether the connection carried voice, text or data.

The companies also gave no measured interruption or duration for the test handoff.

AT&T provided the terrestrial wireless network, while AST supplied the satellite side. Ericsson furnished radio and core technology and network automation for AT&T; Nokia provided radio-access technology and mobility software for AST’s space-based network. The companies said Ericsson’s technology is designed to shorten transitions from seconds to milliseconds.

That describes the technology’s stated capability; the companies did not provide a test-specific transition time.

AST SpaceMobile is developing its satellite system to deliver service to standard mobile phones. The companies identified beta services under real-world conditions as the next phase. Robert Walters, AT&T’s senior vice president of Network, said that phase is expected to follow, but the companies gave no date for beta testing or commercial service.

AST SpaceMobile (ASTS) shares traded at $37.20 at 2:28 p.m. ET (19:28 UTC) Monday, Nov. 2, down $3.77, or 9.2%, from the previous close of $40.97. The snapshot listed volume of 10,833,116 shares and did not establish a closing price.

AST said Oct. 20 that it was targeting initial, intermittent coverage before the end of 2026 in the United States, Canada, Japan, the United Kingdom and Saudi Arabia. The company also said more than 60 gateways were deployed, installed or in planning worldwide.

The coverage target is a company plan, not a confirmation of service availability. AT&T and AST announced their commercial agreement in 2024 to provide space-based broadband directly to everyday cellphones; the agreement runs through 2030.