Telus has officially shifted from a potential partner to a strategic investor, confirming it has signed a commercial agreement and taken an equity stake in AST SpaceMobile.
The deal, officially announced moments ago on Tuesday afternoon, marks a major escalation in the race to bring satellite-to-phone connectivity to dead zones in Canada.
“By combining Telus’ award-winning wireless network and AST SpaceMobile’s innovative satellite technology, we’re eliminating connectivity gaps across Canada and ensuring our customers in even the most remote corners of the country can stay connected to what matters most, when it matters the most,” said Nazim Benhadid, Chief Technology Officer, Telus Networks, in a statement. “This is a significant milestone in our commitment to keep all Canadians connected, no matter where they live, work or explore.”
By becoming a shareholder and investing directly in ground-based satellite infrastructure, Telus is securing its position in the direct-to-cell market. The partnership aims to launch service by late 2026, allowing Canadians to use their existing, unmodified smartphones to text, call, and browse data in remote regions where traditional towers do not exist.
“Canada’s vast geography, remote industries and dispersed communities make universal connectivity both a challenge and a necessity,” said Chris Ivory, AST SpaceMobile Chief Commercial Officer. “By combining Telus’ proven leadership in network innovation with AST SpaceMobile’s innovative technology, we aim to provide seamless mobile coverage from city centers to the most isolated regions, ensuring people, businesses and first responders stay connected when it matters most. Together, we are working to redefine what mobile coverage means for Canadians, using the smartphones they already carry every day.”
The equity move aligns Telus with Bell, which has been partnered with AST SpaceMobile since last year. Both carriers are now betting on the massive BlueBird satellites from AST to fill coverage gaps, while Rogers remains focused on its partnership with the Starlink network from SpaceX.
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