AT&T CEO: Our satellite communications are better than Musk's

The chief executive officer of AT&T Inc. John Stankey said that his company far surpasses T-Mobile US Inc. and Elon Musk in the quality of mobile communication services provided in remote areas via satellites.

Each of these companies plans to offer customers living in remote areas or staying there for any reason the option to connect the Internet through a network of satellites in low Earth orbit.

T-Mobile and Elon Musk, who represents SpaceX, have solemnly announced the creation of a vital service. Their statement says the signal will be transmitted even to the most remote areas (mountains, seas, etc.).

However, John Stankey said AT&T has an 18-month advantage, as SpaceX is not scheduled to begin testing to launch the satellite until mid-2023.

AT&T's satellite partner, AST SpaceMobile Inc. AT&T and AST SpaceMobile Inc need approval from the Federal Communications Commission in order for a satellite to become cell sites in space and because the radio waves to be used are approved at certain power levels.

Stankey speaks of full satisfaction with AT&T's test results and a willingness to share them with the Federal Communications Commission. If the commission is satisfied with the results in the same way as AT&T, then the company should expect a change in the license parameters.

At first, it is planned to use satellite communications in the work of first responders, including FirstNet, and later other consumers will have the opportunity to use satellite communications. Stankey emphasizes that in the future, satellite communications will become as common as mobile communications.