AT&T stock advances toward beta after satellite handoff milestone

AT&T and AST SpaceMobile are moving their direct-to-device partnership toward real-world beta services after completing a live handoff between terrestrial and satellite networks. The companies described the milestone in an announcement published on November 2, 2026.

The underlying test took place on Wednesday, October 21, outside Granite Falls, Washington, at 8:15 a.m. PT. An active connection moved between AT&T's ground-based wireless network and AST SpaceMobile's satellite network while using an ordinary smartphone. AT&T said the demonstration was the first successful handoff of its kind between a ground-based cellular network and a direct-to-device satellite network.

Integration milestone sets next test

The handoff builds on earlier voice calls, text messages and video calls conducted through AST SpaceMobile's BlueBird satellites. The companies are targeting a service that can extend connectivity into remote and hard-to-reach areas while keeping the transition between terrestrial and space-based coverage largely invisible to users.

Ericsson supplied combined radio and core technology with network automation for AT&T. Nokia provided radio-access technology and mobility software for AST SpaceMobile's space-based network. AT&T said the technology is designed to reduce transition times and preserve service continuity as users move between coverage areas.

Robert Walters, AT&T's senior vice president for Network, called the successful handoff a significant milestone but said it was not the finish line. He said the next phase would involve beta services under real-world conditions, followed ultimately by commercial service. The company did not provide a consumer launch date in the announcement.

The milestone adds a concrete integration step to AT&T's satellite strategy, but investors still face execution questions around testing, coverage and the path to a scaled offering. The announcement positions satellite connectivity as a complement to AT&T's existing wireless and fiber networks rather than a replacement.

AT&T stock traded at 19.54 euros on Lang & Schwarz at 13:35 CET on Wednesday, November 11, 2026. The quote is a current trading indication and is not accompanied here by a verified Xetra closing comparison.

The broader US telecom market remains the relevant backdrop for investors tracking network investment and satellite connectivity. See current S&P 500 market coverage.

Further developments will depend on the beta phase and the companies' progress toward commercial service. More news and analyses on AT&T stock.