AST SpaceMobile Partnership
We’ve partnered with AST SpaceMobile to help extend Mobile connectivity beyond the reach of traditional cell towers. AST SpaceMobile is building a space-based cellular broadband network designed to connect directly to standard smartphones, without the need for a satellite phone or additional hardware.
Together, we’re testing the technology in New Zealand as we work towards bringing satellite-enabled voice, data and messaging services to 2degrees customers.
Standard smartphones
Local ground infrastructure
Built for more than messaging
What is AST SpaceMobile?
AST SpaceMobile is a publicly traded satellite communications company who are building a cellular broadband network in space, designed to connect directly to standard smartphones.
Instead of requiring a satellite phone, external antenna or other specialised equipment, AST SpaceMobile’s BlueBird satellites are designed to communicate with everyday smartphones. The goal is to extend Mobile connectivity into areas traditional cell towers struggle to reach.
How it will work: Your phone to our network
AST SpaceMobile’s satellites are designed to connect directly to standard smartphones, then send the signal to the 2degrees Marton Satellite Ground Station and on to the 2degrees network.
Your phone connects to a satellite
The satellite receives your signal
The signal reaches our ground station
It connects to the 2degrees network
Meet the BlueBird satellites
AST SpaceMobile calls its satellites BlueBirds. Unlike a traditional Mobile tower, which sends a signal out from the ground, BlueBird satellites use very large phased-array antennas to communicate with phones from Low Earth Orbit. AST's BlueBirds use antenna arrays of around 2,400 square feet and are designed to provide broadband-like* capacity across thousands of individual coverage cells.
*Subject to further testing.
2degrees Marton Satellite Ground Station
The satellite is only one part of the network. Ground stations connect the satellite network back into terrestrial Mobile infrastructure. 2degrees has invested millions of dollars in building the 2degrees Marton Satellite Ground Station. It allows calls, data and messaging using AST SpaceMobile to originate and terminate through the 2degrees core network without needing to transit another national jurisdiction.
FAQs
No. AST SpaceMobile is specifically designing its network to connect with standard smartphones without additional satellite hardware.
Not yet. 2degrees and AST SpaceMobile are testing the service and will confirm customer trial and commercial launch timing in due course.
The technology is being developed to support voice calling, messaging and mobile data. 2degrees and AST have already successfully tested voice calls, video calls and data in New Zealand.
AST SpaceMobile satellite services are intended to complement terrestrial mobile networks by helping provide connectivity beyond the reach of traditional cell towers.
