Texas-headquarted AST SpaceMobile that is building a space-based global cellular broadband network accessible directly by standard mobile phones, formally opened on Monday a research and development services hub and space technology development centre in Hyderabad.
Next-generation hardware, software, space-related technologies and operations will be focus of the work at the facility. The Nasdaq-listed firm aims to attract talent from India to further advance work to improve mobile communication connectivity, in partnership with telecom service providers, through a constellation of satellites.
Using its test satellite BlueWalker 3 (BW3) and everyday smartphones, it place the first-ever space-based voice calls in April and followed it up in June by announcing BW3 had provided 4G LTE capabilities. Evaluation of BW3’s capabilities continues with enablement of 5G cellular broadband as the next major test activity, the company said in a release.
