The trial leverages AST SpaceMobile’s Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite arrays, which the company claims are the largest communication structures ever deployed in space. By integrating this technology directly into the existing TELUS network, the companies intend to bypass the need for specialized hardware, allowing customers to use their current mobile devices to reach 9-1-1 or maintain data connections while hiking or working in isolated wilderness areas.
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TELUS and AST SpaceMobile Test Direct-to-Smartphone Satellite Link
In a move to eliminate dead zones across Canada, TELUS and AST SpaceMobile have successfully linked a standard smartphone to a satellite constellation. This test marks the first integration between the carrier’s wireless infrastructure and space-based arrays, aiming to provide voice, data, and emergency services in the country’s most remote regions.
Nazim Benhadid, Chief Technology Officer at TELUS, described the milestone as a critical expansion of cellular reach. The service is expected to roll out to TELUS customers within the next year. Chris Ivory, Chief Commercial Officer at AST SpaceMobile, noted that the technology is designed to operate seamlessly with standard, unmodified mobile devices, effectively adding a new layer of resilience to traditional terrestrial coverage. This initiative arrives as part of a broader push by TELUS to bolster connectivity through both its 5G+ network and satellite-based broadband, specifically targeting sectors like forestry, energy, and construction where reliable communication is often unavailable.
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