Bell Canada's direct-to-device satellite ground station in Quebec, which connects with AST SpaceMobile's constellation of satellites.HO/The Canadian Press
Bell Canada BCE-T says it has reached a key milestone toward launching satellite-to-mobile coverage with the completion of a ground station in Quebec.
Last fall, the telecommunications company announced plans to launch space-based cellular service through a partnership with AST SpaceMobile ASTS-Q using low-Earth orbit satellites.
Bell says testing has begun at the ground station facility, which connects with AST SpaceMobile’s satellite constellation to integrate its space-based cellular broadband network with Bell’s terrestrial network.
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The technology will aim to keep Bell customers connected in areas beyond the reach of traditional wireless networks.
Bell is aiming to launch its satellite coverage early next year.
Competitor Rogers Communications Inc. RCI-B-T launched its own version of satellite-to-mobile service a year ago in partnership with Elon Musk’s SpaceX SPCX-Q, combining its wireless network with Starlink’s low-Earth orbit satellites to connect cellphones in dead zones.