AT&T stock advances as satellite handoff clears beta-testing hurdle
Published on 11/10/2026 at 12:52 | Editorial responsibility: Rafael Müller, Editor-in-Chief AD HOC NEWSSatellite Handoff Moves Toward Beta
- AT&T and AST SpaceMobile completed a handoff between terrestrial cellular and direct-to-device satellite networks.
- The October test near Granite Falls, Washington, builds on earlier voice, text and video demonstrations with everyday smartphones.
- Real-world beta services are the next step, while the companies have not announced a commercial launch date.
AT&T and AST SpaceMobile completed what the companies describe as the first successful handoff between a ground-based cellular network and a direct-to-device satellite network. The live test took place on Wednesday, October 21, 2026, outside Granite Falls, Washington, at 8:15 a.m. PT, according to AT&T.
The demonstration addressed a key technical hurdle for direct-to-device satellite service: maintaining an active connection as a smartphone moves from terrestrial coverage to satellite coverage. AT&T supplied the nationwide wireless network, while AST SpaceMobile provided the satellite network. Ericsson contributed combined radio and core technology with network automation for AT&T, and Nokia supplied radio-access technology and mobility software for AST SpaceMobile.
Integration Is the Next Test
AT&T said the handoff builds on earlier voice calls, text messages and video calls transmitted through AST SpaceMobile's BlueBird satellites with standard smartphones. The companies are targeting a service that extends connectivity into remote and hard-to-reach areas without requiring a dedicated satellite phone.
Robert Walters, AT&T's senior vice president of Network, called the handoff a significant milestone but said it was not the finish line. The next phase is expected to include beta services under real-world conditions, allowing the companies to refine performance before moving toward commercial service. Neither company gave a timetable for the beta phase or a commercial launch.
For AT&T, the project adds a satellite layer to its existing wireless and fiber footprint rather than replacing terrestrial infrastructure. That positioning could broaden coverage in areas where towers are unavailable or difficult to build, while execution during real-world testing remains the key operational step for investors.
AT&T stock traded at 19.45 euros on Lang & Schwarz at 12:45 CET on Tuesday, November 10.
AT&T Inc. at a Glance
- Company: AT&T Inc.
- ISIN: US00206R1023
- NYSE ticker: T
- Home exchange: New York Stock Exchange
- Lang & Schwarz quote: 19.45 euros at 12:45 CET on Tuesday, November 10, 2026
- Sector: Telecommunications
US equity investors continue to track the broader market backdrop through the S&P 500.
For AT&T shareholders, the next milestone is the transition from an engineering demonstration to beta service under everyday conditions. More news and analyses on AT&T stock.
