Taiwan Mobile, in partnership with AST SpaceMobile, is deploying a "direct mobile phone-to-satellite" system to build a space-based base station and enhance communication resilience across Taiwan.

As global mobile communications move into a new era of satellite-terrestrial integration, Taiwan Mobile announced on March 2nd that it had officially signed a "Strategic Cooperation Memorandum of Understanding on Low-Earth Orbit Satellite Communication Services" with AST SpaceMobile, the world's first telecommunications company to achieve direct-to-cell (D2C) satellite connectivity. This move symbolizes Taiwan's telecommunications industry extending its communication reach from the ground to space, striving to build a three-dimensional satellite-terrestrial integrated network to provide more resilient communication services throughout Taiwan.

Regular mobile phones can now connect to satellite: seamlessly filling coverage gaps.

The core highlight of this collaboration lies in the "direct-to-satellite" (D2C) technology. Unlike traditional satellite communications, which require bulky dedicated terminals or large antennas, AST SpaceMobile's technology allows low-Earth orbit satellites at an altitude of 500 kilometers to directly connect with users' standard smartphones. This means that users can maintain basic communication capabilities in areas where existing mobile networks are difficult to cover, such as remote mountainous areas, at sea, or in situations where the network is down due to disasters, without having to replace any hardware or add any accessories.

This technology not only significantly improves the convenience of communication, but also has a high cost-effectiveness, transforming satellite communication from a special need into a backup mechanism that the general public can use in critical moments.

Strengthening Communication Resilience: Protecting Taiwan's Diverse Topography

Taiwan's fragmented terrain and frequent natural disasters have made signal reception in mountains, valleys, and outlying islands a persistent challenge. Lin Chih-chen, General Manager of Taiwan Mobile, pointed out that low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellite technology can enhance the resilience of terrestrial networks, especially in situations where earthquakes or typhoons damage ground base stations, where satellites can play a crucial role in providing backup.

Scott Wisniewski, president of AST SpaceMobile, also stated that a seamless communication architecture will be built by linking AST's space base station with the ground stations constructed by Taiwan Mobile. In this collaboration, AST SpaceMobile will be responsible for operating the low-Earth orbit satellite system, while Taiwan Mobile will provide support in areas such as ground station operation, spectrum planning, and regulatory communication, jointly promoting the implementation of this forward-looking service in Taiwan.

Connecting with the international ecosystem: keeping pace with global technology giants

AST SpaceMobile boasts a leading satellite architecture, with its "BlueBird" satellite array employing a large-scale phased array antenna design, resulting in a single satellite having an unfolded area of ​​2,400 square feet. The company has received strategic investments from international technology and telecommunications giants such as Google, AT&T, Verizon, and Vodafone, and has established partnerships with defense and humanitarian aid organizations in multiple countries.

In the announcement, Lin Chih-chen emphasized that Taiwan Mobile's collaboration with AST SpaceMobile not only demonstrates its strategic vision of aligning with global Tier 1 operators, but also embodies the brand's "Open Possible" spirit. Through the integrated development of satellite and terrestrial networks, Taiwan Mobile is gradually realizing its vision of ubiquitous connectivity, creating an "unprecedented" communication experience for businesses and individual users.