AST SpaceMobile is a publicly traded satellite designer and manufacturer headquartered in Midland, Texas, focused on building a space-based cellular broadband network. Their SpaceMobile network aims to connect directly to standard, unmodified smartphones via their constellation of low Earth orbit satellites, like the BlueBird series. AST SpaceMobile partners with mobile network operators like AT&T, Verizon, and Vodafone to expand cellular coverage and provide connectivity in underserved areas, also securing contracts with the U.S. government for secure and reliable connectivity.
All verified mentions of this organization in source documents.
AST SpaceMobile employs a workforce of nearly 1,800 people.
AST SpaceMobile aims to deliver mobile-grade connectivity directly to handsets via a planned constellation of 60 satellites.
AT&T is committed to delivering D2D services through AST SpaceMobile in the first half of 2026, initially in beta mode for selected customers.
Three key flashpoints are anticipated in 2026: an interference complaint from Verizon, a technical battle over HARQ data, and the launch of AST SpaceMobile.
AT&T and Verizon have their own orbital projects, with AT&T partnering with AST SpaceMobile and Verizon forming a deal with AST.
Sodern's star trackers are used on satellites across various orbits and applications by prime contractors and commercial companies including Lockheed Martin, AST SpaceMobile, and Varda Space Industries.
AST SpaceMobile utilizes massive phased arrays for its satellite architecture.
AST SpaceMobile launched its sixth BlueBird satellite on December 23, 2023, and plans to deploy up to 60 spacecraft by year-end 2026.
Satellite constellations like Starlink, AST SpaceMobile, and Telesat Lightspeed require millions of users to be financially viable.
AST SpaceMobile plans to launch between 45 and 60 satellites by the end of 2026, with launches planned every one or two months on average.
ISRO launched the BlueBird 6 satellite for AST SpaceMobile on a LVM3 rocket on December 23 at 10:25 p.m. EST.
Verizon has entered an agreement to utilize AST SpaceMobile’s network via 850 MHz low-band spectrum.
AT&T and AST SpaceMobile intend to initiate a beta satellite service for commercial and FirstNet users in the first half of 2026.
AT&T and AST SpaceMobile announced infrastructure milestones on December 30, 2025, for the expansion of direct-to-cell satellite connectivity across the United States.
BlueBird 6, the first of AST SpaceMobile’s Block 2 satellites, was deployed on December 23, 2025, and is designed to provide broadband services to unmodified smartphones using AT&T’s terrestrial spectrum.
The collaboration between AT&T and AST SpaceMobile is governed by a commercial agreement signed in May 2024.
AST SpaceMobile has secured partnerships with more than 50 mobile network operators globally.
AST SpaceMobile has agreements with over 50 mobile network operators globally, serving nearly 3 billion subscribers combined.
AST SpaceMobile has a workforce of more than 1,800 employees.
AST SpaceMobile maintains strategic partnerships and agreements with over 50 mobile network operators globally, including AT&T, Verizon, and Vodafone.