AT&T And AST SpaceMobile Achieve Seamless Handoff Between Ground-Based Cellular And Direct-To-Device Satellite Networks

New milestone brings seamless connectivity between ground-based and space-based cellular broadband networks, becoming one step closer to commercial service.

Key Takeaways:

• AT&T and AST SpaceMobile, have achieved what we believe is the industry’s first successful handoff between a ground-based cellular network and a direct-to-device satellite network.
• Supporting ground-based radio, network integration and mobility technologies from Ericsson and Nokia enable the handoff and helps maintain service continuity
• The achievement advances plans to complement AT&T’s existing wireless network with satellite connectivity in remote and hard-to-reach locations using everyday smartphones.
• Milestone brings AT&T and AST SpaceMobile one step closer to commercial service keeping customers connected anywhere they work, live, and travel

AT&T and AST SpaceMobile, with supporting ground-based technology from Ericsson and Nokia, have achieved what we believe is the industry’s first successful handoff between a ground-based cellular network and a direct-to-device satellite network.

Your phone should just stay connected.

Currently, moving between ground and satellite coverage can mean a dropped call or interrupted connection. The companies are engineering a seamless experience where the network does the work behind the scenes, helping you stay connected in more places.

The milestone occurred Wednesday, October 21, 2026, outside Granite Falls, Washington, at 8:15 a.m. PT. It builds on previous voice calls, text messages and video calls through AST SpaceMobile’s BlueBird satellites using everyday smartphones.

This time, the companies tackled a different challenge: moving a connection between AT&T’s ground-based wireless network and AST SpaceMobile’s satellite network seamlessly. That’s why collaboration matters:

• AT&T provides America’s strongest nationwide wireless network.
• AST SpaceMobile provides the satellite network designed to connect directly with everyday smartphones.
• Ericsson provides AT&T the combined radio and core technology with intelligent network automation to optimize handoffs between ground-based and satellite networks—reducing transition times from seconds to milliseconds, so customers, first responders, and other essential workers stay connected.
• Nokia provides the radio access technology and mobility software that power AST SpaceMobile’s space-based network enabling seamless handover, service continuity and a smooth customer experience as users move between terrestrial networks and satellite coverage.