AST SpaceMobile submitted a filing with the US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to commercially deploy a direct-to-device (D2D) satellite service for use by first responders.\n\nAT&amp;T holds the contract for public safety communications system FirstNet, which asked the FCC in a 18 July filing to allow a commercial deployment of the D2D service with AST SpaceMobile using Band 14 spectrum.\n\nEarlier this week, AST SpaceMobile also sought the FCC’s permission to commercially deploy the service. \n\nFirstNet already uses the 700MHz frequency band, known as Band 14, to provide first responders with connectivity. Band 14 is ideal for satellite services because it is deployed nationwide.\n\nThe goal of the D2D service is to provide connectivity in rural areas or locations where a natural disaster, such as a hurricane, knocks out the terrestrial network.\n\nThe commercial deployment request followed a separate FCC filing <a>in April</a> which sought permission to conduct a test of the D2D service using AST SpaceMobile’s birds.\n\nA representative for AT&amp;T told <em>Mobile World Live</em> the operator expects the FCC to put the two filings, and any related AST SpaceMobile filings, out for public notice prior to approvals, but noted it is too early to give a specific date for when the service will be available.\n\nThe FCC’s deadline for comments on AST SpaceMobile’s plan to launch a total of 248 low earth orbit (LEO) birds was due on Monday (21 July).\n\nSpaceX complaint<a>Earlier this month</a>, the FCC granted an experimental licence for AST SpaceMobile to launch its first Block2 Bluebird low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite, which has ten-times the capacity of its current <a>first-generation</a> birds.\n\nThe Block2 Bluebirds feature up to 2,400 square foot communications arrays with beams designed to support a capacity of 40MHz, enabling peak data transmission rates of 120Mb/s.\n\nElon Musk-owned SpaceX, which is provisioning T-Mobile US’ direct-to-device service through <a>Starlink satellites</a>, opposes the Block2 Bluebirds.\n\nOn Tuesday, SpaceX sent a letter to the FCC which stated AST SpaceMobile’s application to operate 248 “tennis court-sized satellites” could lead to collisions in space and result in debris falling towards earth.\n\nIt stated AST SpaceMobile “underestimates its collision risk by assuming its dead satellites will stay in their optimal orientation even when AST loses control of them”.

AST SpaceMobile, AT&T lean into first responders

AST SpaceMobile submitted a filing with the US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to deploy a direct-to-device satellite service for first responders, using Band 14 spectrum. AT&T, which holds the contract for FirstNet, seeks FCC approval for the service. SpaceX opposes the deployment, citing collision risks with AST SpaceMobile's satellites.