AT&T and AST SpaceMobile handed off a call from AT&T's cell network to AST's BlueBird satellites on Oct. 21 outside Granite Falls, Washington, using standard smartphones. AT&T calls it an industry first.
AT&T and AST SpaceMobile say they handed off a phone call from AT&T's terrestrial cell network to AST's satellite network, a test AT&T calls an industry first.
When and where: The handoff took place on Oct. 21, 2026, at 8:15 a.m. PT (11:15 a.m. AST), outside Granite Falls, Washington, according to AT&T's newsroom.
The hardware: The call ran over AST's BlueBird satellites using everyday, standard smartphones rather than specialized satellite devices.
The partners: Ericsson supplied the combined radio and core technology in AT&T's network. Nokia supplied the radio access technology and mobility software powering AST's satellite network.
The speed claim: AT&T says Ericsson's technology is designed to cut transition times from seconds to milliseconds. That is a description of the technology's capability, not a measured result reported for this specific test.
What's next: Robert Walters, SVP Network at AT&T, said in the newsroom post: "As we progress toward real-world beta services and ultimately commercial service…" AT&T did not specify a timeframe for either, Light Reading reported, noting that an earlier first-half-2026 beta target was missed.
Coverage context: According to Light Reading, AST has roughly 13 satellites in orbit, and about 45 are needed for continuous U.S. coverage, which is expected in early 2027.
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