TELUS partners with AST SpaceMobile for satellite broadband service

TELUS Corporation (TSX: T; NYSE: TU) and AST SpaceMobile Inc. (NASDAQ: ASTS) signed a commercial agreement to provide space-based cellular broadband service across Canada, according to a company statement.

Under the agreement, TELUS will invest in ground-based satellite infrastructure and become an equity shareholder in AST SpaceMobile. The service is planned to launch in late 2026.

The partnership will allow TELUS customers to send texts, make calls and use data in remote locations using their existing smartphones without additional equipment. The service combines AST SpaceMobile's Low Earth orbit satellite constellation with TELUS' wireless network infrastructure.

"By combining TELUS' award-winning wireless network and AST SpaceMobile's innovative satellite technology, we're eliminating connectivity gaps across Canada," said Nazim Benhadid, Chief Technology Officer at TELUS Networks.

AST SpaceMobile describes itself as building a space-based cellular broadband network accessible directly by smartphones for commercial and government applications. The company's satellites feature what it calls the largest commercial phase arrays deployed in Low Earth orbit.

"Canada's vast geography, remote industries and dispersed communities make universal connectivity both a challenge and a necessity," said Chris Ivory, AST SpaceMobile Chief Commercial Officer.

The service will provide connectivity in areas where traditional cellular network infrastructure is not available, targeting customers in remote locations such as backcountry areas and isolated work sites.

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