Bell Canada has achieved a significant milestone in its satellite-to-mobile coverage initiative by completing the construction of a ground station in Quebec. The telecommunications company had previously announced its collaboration with AST SpaceMobile, a Texas-based company, to provide space-based cellular service using low-earth orbit satellites.
Testing has commenced at the ground station facility, which is now interconnected with AST SpaceMobile’s satellite constellation to merge its space-based cellular broadband network with Bell’s terrestrial network. This site will be part of the Canadian infrastructure supporting direct-to-device satellite service.
Integration testing has been successfully completed at the ground station, including text messaging, data connectivity, voice calls, and video calls on standard smartphones. The upcoming tests will focus on video streaming, public alerts, and other functionalities in the following weeks.
The technology is designed to ensure connectivity for Bell customers in areas where traditional wireless networks are not readily available, such as northern communities and remote coastal regions.
Mark McDonald, Bell’s executive vice-president and chief technology officer, emphasized the goal of the satellite ground infrastructure to offer a comprehensive suite of direct-to-device capabilities, extending connectivity to remote and underserved areas. The combined efforts of Bell’s wireless network and the satellite infrastructure aim to keep customers connected regardless of their location.
Bell is targeting an early launch of its satellite coverage next year. AST SpaceMobile’s Chief Commercial Officer, Chris Ivory, assures customers of a seamless connectivity experience on their smartphones.
Rogers Communications Inc., a competitor, introduced its satellite-to-mobile service in partnership with SpaceX, led by Elon Musk, a year ago. This service integrates Rogers’ wireless network with Starlink’s low-earth orbit satellites to provide cellphone connectivity in areas with poor coverage. Initially offering text messaging for beta users, Rogers later added WhatsApp voice and video calling capabilities. Other applications like Google Maps now function through Rogers Satellite, with plans to enable traditional cellphone calls, including 911 services, within the year.