AT&T, AST SpaceMobile complete ground-to-satellite cellular handoff

AT&T and AST SpaceMobile said they completed a handoff between AT&T's ground-based cellular network and AST SpaceMobile's direct-to-device satellite network on Oct. 21, 2026, outside Granite Falls, Washington, at 8:15 a.m. PT. Ericsson supplied radio and core network technology and automation that reduced transition times from seconds to milliseconds. Nokia supplied radio access and mobility software for AST's space-based network. The companies said the milestone builds on earlier voice, text and video calls over BlueBird satellites using everyday smartphones.