"AT&T, Google, and Vodafone Back Starlink Competitor for Satellite-to-Smartphone Connectivity"

AT&T, Google, and Vodafone are investing in AST SpaceMobile, a company developing a cellular network using satellites in low Earth orbit to provide smartphone connectivity, posing competition to SpaceX's Starlink. Vodafone and AT&T have placed purchase orders for network equipment, while Google and AST SpaceMobile will collaborate on product development for Android devices. AST SpaceMobile has successfully tested satellite-to-smartphone voice calls, video calls, and data downloads over 4G and 5G networks using a Samsung Galaxy S22.