Bell Canada has achieved a significant milestone in its mission to launch satellite-to-mobile coverage by completing the construction of a ground station in Quebec. The telecommunications company had announced its partnership with AST SpaceMobile last fall to provide space-based cellular service using low-earth orbit satellites.
The testing phase has commenced at the ground station facility, facilitating the integration of Bell’s space-based cellular broadband network with AST SpaceMobile’s satellite constellation and Bell’s terrestrial network. This site will play a crucial role in supporting direct-to-device satellite service across Canada.
Integration testing, which includes text messaging, data connectivity, voice calls, and video calls on standard smartphones, has been successfully conducted at the ground station. Further tests for video streaming, public alerts, and additional features are scheduled for the upcoming weeks.
The purpose of this technology is to ensure connectivity for Bell customers in areas where traditional wireless networks are not accessible, such as northern communities and remote coastal regions. Bell aims to launch its satellite coverage early next year to provide seamless connectivity for customers, as stated by AST SpaceMobile’s Chief Commercial Officer, Chris Ivory.
Mark McDonald, Bell’s Executive Vice President and Chief Technology Officer, emphasized the importance of the satellite ground infrastructure in extending connectivity to remote and underserved areas. Bell’s objective is to keep customers connected regardless of their location, be it where they live, work, or travel.
Rogers Communications Inc., a competitor of Bell, introduced its own satellite-to-mobile service in collaboration with SpaceX, led by Elon Musk, a year ago. The service combines Rogers’ wireless network with Starlink’s low-earth orbit satellites to connect cellphones in areas with poor coverage. Initially providing text messaging capabilities for beta users, Rogers has since added WhatsApp voice and video calling, with plans to enable traditional cellphone calls, including 911 services, in the near future.