2degrees opens AST SpaceMobile ground station, completes test calls, and streams broadband data using a standard cellphone
2degrees has today reached a series of major milestones in its rollout of direct-to-device satellite connectivity, officially opening its 2degrees Marton satellite ground station, successfully making voice calls and using data from standard smartphones.
The site was officially opened today by the Hon Paul Goldsmith, Minister for Media and Communications, and Minister for Space.
The Marton facility is one of the first commercial AST SpaceMobile ground stations in the world, and will support the rollout of satellite-enabled mobile connectivity in New Zealand.
Once commercially available, customers with 4G and 5G smartphones are expected to be able to access voice, data and messaging coverage in areas beyond the reach of today's mobile networks, without needing a satellite phone or additional hardware*.
2degrees Chief Executive Mark Callander said the partnership with AST Space Mobile represents an important development in addressing one of New Zealand's longstanding connectivity challenges.
“AST SpaceMobile approaches satellite connectivity in a unique way. The service is designed to offer voice calling, data and SMS, extending connectivity into places that have traditionally been difficult to serve.
”2degrees has invested millions in building a ground station locally, providing access to advanced technology that will enable connectivity for Kiwis outside of traditional coverage areas.”
Callander says he sees building and operating a local ground station, and using a technology that allows calls, data and messaging to originate and terminate on the 2degrees core network, without transiting any other country or jurisdiction, as an important point of difference.
Throughout August, engineers from 2degrees and AST have been conducting trials of the service, successfully making voice calls, video calls and using mobile data through the network.
The opening of the ground station, combined with successful testing of the satellite service on everyday mobile phones, marks a significant step towards commercial launch.
Callander says 2degrees will continue testing, and confirm timings for customer trials and a commercial launch in due course.
“AST SpaceMobile has a robust launch roadmap, and with each additional satellite deployed, the service availability increases. We will offer the service commercially when service availability is at a level we consider is viable.”
AST SpaceMobile has partnerships with more than 50 mobile network operators globally, including Verizon, AT&T and Rakuten, representing a combined subscriber base of nearly three billion mobile subscribers.
Chris Ivory, Chief Commercial Officer at AST SpaceMobile, said “New Zealand’s early adoption of AST SpaceMobile’s technology and deployment of commercial ground infrastructure position the country at the forefront of space-based cellular broadband. Working alongside 2degrees, we are bringing a new satellite connectivity capability advancing the integration of our networks to deliver voice, broadband data and SMS directly to everyday smartphones, without specialised devices.”