AT&T and AST Space Mobile to Launch the First 'Dead Zone'-Busting Satellites for Everyday Cell Phones Thursday

AT&T and AST Space Mobile to Launch the First ‘Dead Zone’-Busting Satellites for Everyday Cell Phones Thursday

If you stay up late tonight—or get up very early—you can watch a live feed of the Cape Canaveral launch of AT&T and AST SpaceMobile's first five satellites to bring space-based calling to everyday cell phones. Dallas-based AT&T said this is the first step toward potentially eliminating “dead zones" everywhere from rural highways to national parks and more.

Let the countdown begin.

In May, we told you that Dallas-based tech giant AT&T and Midland’s AST SpaceMobile were partnering to provide a space-based broadband network direct to “everyday cell phones.”AT&T called the move a key step on its path to providing even more expansive connectivity on America’s largest wireless network.

The partners’ first five satellites have been delivered to Cape Canaveral in Florida for launch into low Earth orbit. Tomorrow (Thursday September 12 at 3:52 a.m. CT) the satellites will be launched into space. Once in position, they’ll be used exclusively to bring satellite calling to ordinary mobile phones.

Watch a live feed of the liftoff

Tomorrow’s mission, called BlueBird 1-5, will lift off from Cape Canaveral Space Launch Complex 40 aboard a Falcon 9 rocket.

If 3:52 a.m. isn’t too late for you—or early, as the case may be—you can watch a live YouTube feed of the launch by going here. AST SpaceMobile’s live feed will feature launch status updates, videos, interviews with special guests from AT&T and American Tower, and more. The broadcast will begin about one hour before the scheduled launch time.

Note: The exact launch timing is subject to change based on readiness of the launch vehicle, weather conditions, and other factors

AT&T said this is the first step toward potentially eliminating “dead zones”—and one “giant leap” forward for public safety in the case of things like lost hikers or remote fires.

Satellites could also eventually provide a backup network when service on the ground is disrupted, AT&T added.

Will dead zones in the future be a thing of the past?

AT&T said there are many situations where dead zones outside will become a thing of the past thanks to the reach of the satellite solution’s two-way connectivity. That includes the ability to make calls in wilderness areas, national parks, rural highways, and other hard-to-reach locations around the country, the company said.