Verizon and AST SpaceMobile to launch satellite-based cellular in 2026

Verizon and AST SpaceMobile just moved direct-to-device from pilot to a 2026 commercial launch path, using standard phones and low‑band spectrum to close U.S. coverage gaps. Highlights • 🛰️ Definitive commercial agreement to deliver space-based cellular in the U.S. starting 2026, using standard, unmodified phones. • 📶 Extends Verizon’s 850 MHz low-band into remote areas for rural dead zones, disaster recovery, and coverage resiliency. • 📐 Built on 3GPP Release 17 NTN; requires carrier-grade integration across core, policy, emergency services, and lawful intercept. • 🔄 Non-trivial handover: interference coordination, power control, and terrestrial–satellite mobility will drive user experience. • 📡 Capacity reality: initial focus on voice, messaging, and low-rate data with higher latency vs. terrestrial; clear SLAs key for enterprises. • 🌐 Competitive signal: “coverage assurance” differentiator; AST also aligned with AT&T and Vodafone, pressuring rival NTN roadmaps. • 💰 Investor lens: AST shares surged; terms undisclosed—execution on launches, gateways, approvals, and monetization remains the hurdle. 📖 Full article via @TeckNexus: https://lnkd.in/gHCaWknt #Verizon #ASTSpaceMobile #NTN #LEO #DirectToDevice #SatelliteToCell #3GPP #Release17 #850MHz #CoverageAssurance #SpectrumPolicy #EnterpriseConnectivity

Ookla data shows AT&T subscribers are quietly activating T-Mobile’s #Starlink-powered T-Satellite, turning D2D into a cross-carrier reliability layer and a new revenue lane. Highlights • 📊 Share split: ~60% of Starlink D2D connections from T-Mobile; >70% when devices report active service; ~33% from AT&T; Verizon minimal. • 💼 Offer design: T-Mobile bundles on premium plan and opens access via eSIM for $10/mo—even for non-T-Mobile lines—cutting onboarding friction. • 🛰️ Network: Hundreds of Starlink “Direct to Cell” satellites; mainstream phones supported; app-gated data (Maps, Messages, WhatsApp, Apple); utility-grade, not 5G. • 🧭 Demand signal: Hotspots in LA County (Angeles NF), Larimer CO, Teton WY, Mohave AZ, Mineral MT—classic off-grid safety/recreation zones. • 🔀 Strategies: Verizon steers to Skylo aggregation (Viasat, Ligado, TerreStar, EchoStar); AT&T awaits AST SpaceMobile while users bridge with T-Satellite. • 🧩 Scale enablers: Licensed spectrum, 3GPP NTN (R17/R18), EchoStar spectrum deal; D2D and fixed #Starlink isolated on separate spacecraft to avoid cannibalization. • 💵 Economics: Majority willing to pay modest fee—billions in potential; track bundled vs add-on, cross-carrier #eSIM activations, and incremental ARPU. • 🌐 International: Partners include Rogers Communications, Optus, Telstra, KDDI Corporation, Entel, Kyivstar Business; risks in cross-border spectrum, emergency calling, lawful intercept, and roaming. 📖 Full article via @TeckNexus: https://lnkd.in/gPyi5JFJ #DirectToDevice #NTN #SatelliteConnectivity #Starlink #TMobile #ATT #ASTSpaceMobile #Skylo #eSIM #3GPP #Spectrum #5G

Ookla data shows AT&T subscribers are quietly activating T-Mobile’s #Starlink-powered T-Satellite, turning D2D into a cross-carrier reliability layer and a new revenue lane. Highlights • 📊 Share split: ~60% of Starlink D2D connections from T-Mobile; >70% when devices report active service; ~33% from AT&T; Verizon minimal. • 💼 Offer design: T-Mobile bundles on premium plan and opens access via eSIM for $10/mo—even for non-T-Mobile lines—cutting onboarding friction. • 🛰️ Network: Hundreds of Starlink “Direct to Cell” satellites; mainstream phones supported; app-gated data (Maps, Messages, WhatsApp, Apple); utility-grade, not 5G. • 🧭 Demand signal: Hotspots in LA County (Angeles NF), Larimer CO, Teton WY, Mohave AZ, Mineral MT—classic off-grid safety/recreation zones. • 🔀 Strategies: Verizon steers to Skylo aggregation (Viasat, Ligado, TerreStar, EchoStar); AT&T awaits AST SpaceMobile while users bridge with T-Satellite. • 🧩 Scale enablers: Licensed spectrum, 3GPP NTN (R17/R18), EchoStar spectrum deal; D2D and fixed #Starlink isolated on separate spacecraft to avoid cannibalization. • 💵 Economics: Majority willing to pay modest fee—billions in potential; track bundled vs add-on, cross-carrier #eSIM activations, and incremental ARPU. • 🌐 International: Partners include Rogers Communications, Optus, Telstra, KDDI Corporation, Entel, Kyivstar Business; risks in cross-border spectrum, emergency calling, lawful intercept, and roaming. 📖 Full article via @TeckNexus: https://lnkd.in/g7j9Htnf #DirectToDevice #NTN #SatelliteConnectivity #Starlink #TMobile #ATT #ASTSpaceMobile #Skylo #eSIM #3GPP #Spectrum #5G

The 1830 PSS-HC delivers the capacity, power and space innovation that network operators need while retaining feature and operational consistency with the broader portfolio. Get five reasons why network operators are excited about these new high-capacity shelves from Marco Bertolini on the Nokia blog: https://lnkd.in/d-w6ZFhy #OpticalNetworks #OpticalTransport

The 1830 PSS-HC delivers the capacity, power and space innovation that network operators need while retaining feature and operational consistency with the broader portfolio. Get five reasons why network operators are excited about these new high-capacity shelves from Marco Bertolini on the Nokia blog: https://lnkd.in/eVRf8DXx #OpticalNetworks #OpticalTransport

The 1830 PSS-HC delivers the capacity, power and space innovation that network operators need while retaining feature and operational consistency with the broader portfolio. Get five reasons why network operators are excited about these new high-capacity shelves from Marco Bertolini on the Nokia blog: https://lnkd.in/evWKDdmv #OpticalNetworks #OpticalTransport

The 1830 PSS-HC delivers the capacity, power and space innovation that network operators need while retaining feature and operational consistency with the broader portfolio. Get five reasons why network operators are excited about these new high-capacity shelves from Marco Bertolini on the Nokia blog: https://lnkd.in/eibzzMWy #OpticalNetworks #OpticalTransport

The 1830 PSS-HC delivers the capacity, power and space innovation that network operators need while retaining feature and operational consistency with the broader portfolio. Get five reasons why network operators are excited about these new high-capacity shelves from Marco Bertolini on the Nokia blog: https://lnkd.in/dmpswk-J #OpticalNetworks #OpticalTransport

The 1830 PSS-HC delivers the capacity, power and space innovation that network operators need while retaining feature and operational consistency with the broader portfolio. Get five reasons why network operators are excited about these new high-capacity shelves from Marco Bertolini on the Nokia blog: https://lnkd.in/d3_qnzJf #OpticalNetworks #OpticalTransport

The 1830 PSS-HC delivers the capacity, power and space innovation that network operators need while retaining feature and operational consistency with the broader portfolio. Get five reasons why network operators are excited about these new high-capacity shelves from Marco Bertolini on the Nokia blog: https://lnkd.in/d3yRvFdN #OpticalNetworks #OpticalTransport