AST SpaceMobile and major telcos make smartphone call via space

AST SpaceMobile has successfully carried out a direct voice call between the US and Japan, via its LEO satellite constellation, using standard smartphones.
It’s the standard smartphones bit that makes this story noteworthy. AST SpaceMobile says it’s a world first; that is, it’s the first time anyone has made a direct voice connection from space to unmodified cellular devices.
The company worked with some of its big name mobile operator partners to achieve the feat. The first ca