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.
Rakuten’s mobile operator business plans to launch a satellite-to-mobile broadband service with AST SpaceMobile in Japan from 2026.
AST SpaceMobile raised $155,000,000 from AT&T and other investors in January.
AST SpaceMobile’s first five commercial BlueBird satellites, known as Block 1 and similar in size to BlueWalker-3, are slated to launch together on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket in the coming months.
AST SpaceMobile needs additional capital to provide 0.005 kg connectivity globally from low Earth orbit to phones and other devices outside cell tower coverage.
AST SpaceMobile raised $155,000,000 from Google, AT&T, and Vodafone in January ahead of plans to deploy its first commercial low Earth orbit satellites early in 2024 for a direct-to-smartphone service.
AST SpaceMobile's planned satellite network will provide services globally.
AST SpaceMobile is building the first space-based cellular broadband network accessible directly by standard smartphones.
AST SpaceMobile recently secured strategic investments from AT&T, Google, and Vodafone.
AST SpaceMobile is working towards offering commercial service in the United States.
AST SpaceMobile has been awarded a contract by the United States Government through a prime contractor.
Rakuten, American Tower, and Bell Canada are existing investors in AST SpaceMobile.
AST SpaceMobile has updated its constellation filing with the International Telecommunication Union (ITU).
AST SpaceMobile has updated its V-Band application filings with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).
AST SpaceMobile has agreements and understandings with more than 40 mobile network operators globally.
AST SpaceMobile has updated the licensing administration of its constellation filing in response to FCC rule-making.
Notable partners of AST SpaceMobile include Vodafone Group, Rakuten Mobile, AT&T, and Bell Canada.
AST SpaceMobile has its primary satellite development and manufacturing capabilities in the United States.
The proposed FCC framework is a particularly important milestone for SpaceX and AST SpaceMobile, which have partnered with T-Mobile and AT&T, respectively, to enter the U.S. direct-to-smartphone market.
AST SpaceMobile is building its next five satellites and plans ten larger BlueBird satellites with a ten-fold improvement in throughput.
AST SpaceMobile won a major contract from the U.S. government on 2024-02-08 to be supported by BlueWalker 3 and its next five commercial satellites.