Illustration by Alex Castro / The Verge
Verizon’s inked a deal with satellite broadband provider AST SpaceMobile to help fill customers’ coverage gaps when they travel outside the reach of terrestrial cell towers. The company is committing $100 million in a new deal connecting AST’s satellite network to mobile phones using the 850 Mhz band.
AST SpaceMobile is launching five satellites into low orbit this summer and recently announced a deal with AT&T, which joined Google and Vodafone as an investor in AST earlier this year, that runs through 2030.
Apple added an Emergency SOS via satellite feature for iPhone 14 and 15 that lets you message for roadside assistance through AAA (and also Verizon) in areas of no connectivity. Android is also getting similar messaging features….
