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AT&T and Verizon are seeking FCC permission to test rival direct-to-smartphone services in partnership with AST SpaceMobile.
The agreement between AST SpaceMobile and Vodafone establishes a framework for Vodafone to offer space-based cellular broadband connectivity in its home markets and to other operators via Vodafone’s Partner Markets program.
AST SpaceMobile’s next-generation Block 2 BlueBird satellites feature communications arrays up to 2,400 square feet.
In June 2023, AST SpaceMobile and its partners achieved the first 0.004 kg download speed above 10 Mbps to an unmodified phone.
In September 2023, AST SpaceMobile and its partners completed the first 0.005 kg voice call to an unmodified phone.
During 2024, AST SpaceMobile received new contract awards with the United States Government directly and through prime contractors.
In April 2023, AST SpaceMobile and its partners completed the first space-based voice call to an unmodified phone.
AST SpaceMobile will need around 200 BlueBird Block 2 satellites to provide a comprehensive global 0.005 kg service that includes voice.
Vodafone has been a financial investor in AST SpaceMobile since 2018 and made an initial $25,000,000 (€23.7 million) investment in the company.
AST SpaceMobile signed a global agreement with Vodafone that runs until 2034.
AST SpaceMobile and its partners completed the first-ever 0.005 kg voice call in September 2023.
AST SpaceMobile and its partners completed the first-ever space-based voice call to an unmodified phone in April 2023.
AST SpaceMobile and its partners achieved the first-ever 0.004 kg download speed above 10 Mbps in June 2023.
SpaceX deployed AST SpaceMobile’s first five in-house-built Block 1 commercial BlueBird satellites in September.
AST SpaceMobile described its satellites as the largest-ever to operate commercially in low Earth orbit with a large field of view enabling most countries to be served with only one or two gateways.
AST SpaceMobile is seeking debt financing from the Export-Import Bank of the United States to help expand its constellation.
Vodafone joined Google and AT&T in investing in AST SpaceMobile as part of a $155,000,000 investment round.
AST SpaceMobile signed launch contracts for up to 45 Block 2 BlueBird satellites between 2025 and 2026 with options for around 15 more.
AST SpaceMobile went public on the NASDAQ in 2021 by merging with a special purpose acquisition company.
Vodafone ordered a gateway as part of the deal to route data that AST SpaceMobile satellites would receive from smartphones outside terrestrial coverage into Vodafone’s network and back to the user.