Bell Canada has achieved a significant milestone in its satellite-to-mobile coverage initiative by completing the construction of a ground station in Quebec. The telecommunications company had announced a collaboration with AST SpaceMobile last fall to provide space-based cellular service using low-earth orbit satellites.
The ground station facility in Quebec is now undergoing testing to connect with AST SpaceMobile’s satellite constellation and integrate a space-based cellular broadband network with Bell’s terrestrial network. This infrastructure will play a crucial role in supporting direct-to-device satellite service in Canada.
Integration testing, including text messaging, data connectivity, voice calls, and video calls on standard smartphones, has been successfully completed at the ground station. Further testing of video streaming, public alerts, and other features is scheduled in the upcoming weeks.
The technology aims to offer connectivity to Bell customers in areas where traditional wireless networks do not reach, such as northern communities and remote coastal regions. Bell’s executive vice-president and chief technology officer, Mark McDonald, emphasized that the satellite ground infrastructure being developed will provide comprehensive direct-to-device capabilities to extend connectivity to remote and underserved areas.
Bell plans to launch its satellite coverage early next year, with AST SpaceMobile’s chief commercial officer, Chris Ivory, assuring customers of a seamless connectivity experience on their smartphones. Meanwhile, competitor Rogers Communications Inc. had launched its own satellite-to-mobile service in partnership with SpaceX, offering text messaging initially and later adding WhatsApp voice and video calling capabilities.
The move by both Bell and Rogers reflects the growing importance of extending cellular broadband services beyond traditional terrestrial infrastructure to meet the unique geographic challenges in Canada.
