AT&T and AST SpaceMobile have successfully demonstrated a handover between a terrestrial cellular network and a direct-to-device satellite network, a technical milestone in their efforts to integrate satellite broadband with conventional mobile services. The companies describe the achievement as an industry first, although so far we at 5GTS haven’t yet been able to independently verify that claim.
The demonstration took place on 21 October 2026 near Granite Falls, Washington, using AT&T's terrestrial network and AST SpaceMobile's BlueBird satellite infrastructure. Unlike earlier demonstrations involving satellite voice calls, messaging and video communications, the test focused on maintaining an active connection while transferring between ground-based and space-based network coverage.
Ericsson and Nokia supplied key technologies supporting the integration. Ericsson provided terrestrial radio and core network capabilities, including network automation designed to reduce handover delays from seconds to milliseconds. Nokia supplied radio access and mobility software for AST SpaceMobile's satellite network, enabling the coordination required to transfer connections between the two infrastructures without interrupting service.
Seamless handover is an important requirement for commercial satellite-to-smartphone connectivity, allowing users to move beyond terrestrial coverage without manually switching networks or establishing a separate satellite connection. The capability could support continuous mobile services in remote areas and additional network resilience for emergency responders, although practical performance will depend on satellite availability, network conditions and the maturity of the integration.
The achievement advances AT&T and AST SpaceMobile's plans to introduce satellite broadband as an extension of AT&T's existing mobile network, using conventional smartphones rather than dedicated satellite terminals. The companies expect to move into beta testing under real-world conditions before progressing towards commercial service.