Nextel Quietly Launches Wireless Broadband Trial

Jun 29, 2023
The motorola defy satellite link from Bullitt is now available in the US for $150. In North America, the price includes a free trial of the Premium messaging plan (300 non-emergency messages per month) until October 1st, and one year of the Essential plan (30 non-emergency messages per month) for free.

Jul 23, 2024
The FCC has launched a new mobile app for consumers to test the data performance of mobile networks themselves and contribute to the FCC's database of real-world mobile broadband speeds by area. Unlike the old app, the new FCC Mobile Speed Test app has a "Repeated test" function that lets users enter their info once for a series of tests, including hands-free mobile tests while driving.

Jun 21, 2023
AST SpaceMobile has conducted a successful test of 4G LTE data service from its test satellite in orbit to a standard, unmodified smartphone using an existing AT&T cellular frequency band. The test "achieved repeated successful download speeds above 10 Mbps", proving the system is capable of more than just basic voice and messaging service.

Sep 19, 2023
AST SpaceMobile has achieved another important testing milestone by successfully making a 5G phone call on an unmodified Samsung Galaxy S22 via its BlueWalker 3 test satellite currently in orbit. The phone was located in a cellular dead zone on Maui, Hawaii.

Oct 3, 2023
On Wednesday, October 4th at 2:20pm Eastern / 11:20am Pacific time, the FCC will send an emergency alert test message to all consumer mobile phones in the US. In the event there is any actual significant emergency, the test could be postponed (to avoid confusion) to the back-up date of October 11th.