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's BlueBird Block 2 FM1 (BlueBird 6) satellite has been safely encapsulated inside the LVM3 payload fairing.
Vodafone has a commercial agreement with AST SpaceMobile covering direct-to-device services in the U.K.
Rival entities, including Amazon’s Project Kuiper and AST SpaceMobile, have previously expressed concerns regarding orbital congestion and potential signal interference in the VLEO bands.
AST SpaceMobile will have a total of seven manufacturing facilities in the United States, covering a cumulative area of 500,000 square feet.
AST SpaceMobile plans to expand its satellite manufacturing facilities in Texas and Florida.
AST SpaceMobile is developing a space-based mobile broadband network accessible directly via smartphones for public and private applications.
The new AST SpaceMobile facilities are expected to enhance production capacity, strengthen the supply chain, and improve satellite manufacturing efficiency in the U.S.
AST SpaceMobile is collaborating with U.S. telecommunications providers AT&T and Verizon, as well as American Tower and Google, to develop a satellite network for direct connectivity.
AST SpaceMobile aims to bring more high-technology manufacturing work back to the United States.
AST SpaceMobile is accelerating production of its next-generation BlueBird satellites.
AST SpaceMobile collaborates with AT&T, Verizon, American Tower, and Google to build a global satellite network for direct-to-smartphone cellular connectivity.
The expansion at AST SpaceMobile allows for increased capacity and a strengthened supply chain.
AST SpaceMobile agreed to pay approximately half a billion dollars for MSS spectrum rights from Ligado, while SpaceX made a $17 billion deal with EchoStar.
AST SpaceMobile reports that 95 percent of its production processes are vertically integrated and maintained under U.S. control.
Vodafone partnered with AST SpaceMobile and T-Mobile partnered with Starlink in hybrid operator bundles.
Terrestrial spectrum operators like SpaceX and AST SpaceMobile use licensed mobile frequencies to connect unmodified smartphones.
AST SpaceMobile aims to deploy 45 to 60 satellites by the end of 2026.
AST SpaceMobile is targeting completion of components for 40 additional satellites by early 2026.
AST SpaceMobile has scheduled five orbital launches by the close of Q1 2026, with launches planned every one to two months.
AST SpaceMobile has a workforce of approximately 1,800 people.