AST SpaceMobile Announces Launch Services Agreements to Enable Continuous Space-Based Cellular Broadband Service Coverage for the United States, Europe, Japan, the U.S. Government, and Other Strategic Markets Globally

Rhea-AI Summary

AST SpaceMobile (NASDAQ: ASTS) has secured launch services agreements for its space-based cellular broadband network, planning to deploy up to ~60 Block 2 satellites during 2025 and 2026 from Cape Canaveral. The campaign will use existing launch vehicles and Blue Origin's New Glenn rocket. The Block 2 BlueBirds will feature up to 2,400 square foot communications arrays and deliver 10x the bandwidth capacity of current satellites, targeting 100% U.S. coverage with peak speeds up to 120 Mbps. The company has secured strategic investments from AT&T, Verizon, Google, and Vodafone in 2024, and has agreements with over 45 mobile network operators representing 2.8 billion subscribers globally.

Positive

• Secured launch capacity for ~60 Block 2 satellites deployment in 2025-2026
• Block 2 BlueBirds offer 10x bandwidth capacity compared to current satellites
• Targeting 100% U.S. coverage with 5,600 coverage cells
• Peak data transmission speeds up to 120 Mbps
• Secured strategic investments from major tech companies in 2024
• Partnerships with 45+ mobile operators covering 2.8 billion subscribers

Negative

• Significant capital expenditure required for satellite deployment
• Extended timeline to service implementation (2025-2026)
• Complex deployment requiring multiple launch vehicles

Insights

Space Technology Analyst

This launch services agreement marks a significant milestone for AST SpaceMobile's commercial satellite deployment strategy. The planned launch of ~60 Block 2 satellites represents a 10x improvement in bandwidth capacity compared to current satellites, with each featuring an unprecedented 2,400 square foot communications array. The technical specifications are impressive - 40 MHz capacity and 120 Mbps peak speeds could enable genuine cellular broadband service from space.

Blue Origin's New Glenn rocket selection is strategic, as its 7-meter fairing can accommodate up to 8 Block 2 satellites per launch, significantly reducing deployment costs and timeline. The 2025-2026 launch window, combined with recent strategic investments from major telecom players and a 2.8 billion potential subscriber base through partner agreements, positions ASTS for potential market dominance in space-based cellular broadband.

Telecom Industry Analyst

The partnership roster is exceptionally strong, including investments and agreements with tier-1 carriers like AT&T, Verizon and Vodafone, plus strategic backing from Google. This validates the technology's commercial viability and provides a clear path to market. The planned 5,600 coverage cells for 100% U.S. coverage demonstrates serious infrastructure scale.

The technology's compatibility with standard smartphones eliminates adoption barriers, while partnerships with 45+ mobile operators globally create a vast addressable market. Recent U.S. government contracts add another significant revenue stream and regulatory credibility. This positions ASTS uniquely in the emerging space-based cellular market, with potential first-mover advantages in multiple key markets.

Launch campaign from Cape Canaveral Florida Space Force Station is planned during 2025 and 2026, utilizing existing launch vehicles and Blue Origin’s New Glenn for up to ~60 Block 2 satellites, each the largest-ever commercial communications arrays deployed into low Earth orbit

MIDLAND, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- AST SpaceMobile, Inc. (“AST SpaceMobile”) (NASDAQ: ASTS), the company building the first and only space-based cellular broadband network accessible directly by everyday smartphones, and designed for both commercial and government applications, today announced launch services agreements securing the orbital launch capacity to enable continuous space-based cellular broadband service coverage across some of the most in-demand cellular markets globally. AST SpaceMobile's global service will initially target key markets such as the United States, Europe, Japan, the U.S. Government and other strategic markets. The Cape Canaveral Florida Space Force Station launch campaign, scheduled during 2025 and 2026, will utilize existing launch vehicles and Blue Origin’s New Glenn rocket for up to ~60 Block 2 satellites to low Earth orbit.

AST SpaceMobile selected Blue Origin's New Glenn together with existing launch vehicles to launch next generation BlueBird satellites from Cape Canaveral. (Photo: Business Wire)

“We have now contractually secured orbital launch capacity during 2025 and 2026 to enable continuous cellular broadband service coverage of the AST SpaceMobile network,” said Scott Wisniewski, President of AST SpaceMobile. “With these new launch services agreements, our in-house vertically integrated manufacturing capabilities in Texas, our mobile operator partners, and the additional capital raised during 2024, we are now well-positioned to reach our goal of continuous cellular broadband service coverage, enabling our service to hundreds of millions of users around the world and the U.S. Government.”

The next-generation Block 2 BlueBirds are designed to deliver up to 10 times the bandwidth capacity of the BlueBird satellites in orbit today, accelerating the goal to achieve 24/7 continuous cellular broadband service coverage. The service will target approximately 100% U.S. nationwide coverage from space with over 5,600 coverage cells, with beams designed to support a capacity of up to 40 MHz, enabling peak data transmission speeds up to 120 Mbps, supporting voice, full data and video applications. The Block 2 BlueBirds, featuring up to 2,400 square foot communications arrays, will be the largest ever commercially deployed in low Earth orbit once launched, surpassing the current record held by AST SpaceMobile’s BlueBird 1-5 and BlueWalker 3, each ~700 square feet in size.

The Block 2 BlueBirds are designed to be compatible with all major launch vehicles. Blue Origin’s launch vehicle, the New Glenn, offers a seven-meter fairing enabling twice the payload volume of five-meter class commercial launch systems, and is well-suited to launching up to 8 of the largest-ever Block 2 BlueBirds.

During 2024, AST SpaceMobile has secured additional strategic investment from AT&T, Verizon, Google and Vodafone, and new contract awards with the United States Government, directly and through prime contractors. The company has agreements with more than 45 mobile network operators globally, which have over 2.8 billion existing subscribers total, including Vodafone Group, AT&T, Verizon, Rakuten Mobile, Bell Canada, Orange, Telefonica, TIM, Saudi Telecom Company, Zain KSA, Etisalat, Indosat Ooredoo Hutchison, Telkomsel, Smart Communications, Globe Telecom, Millicom, Smartfren, Telecom Argentina, MTN, Telstra, Africell, Liberty Latin America and others. AT&T, Verizon, Vodafone, Google, Rakuten, American Tower, Cisneros Group and Bell Canada are also existing investors in AST SpaceMobile.

About AST SpaceMobile

AST SpaceMobile is building the first and only global cellular broadband network in space to operate directly with standard, unmodified mobile devices based on our extensive IP and patent portfolio, and designed for both commercial and government applications. Our engineers and space scientists are on a mission to eliminate the connectivity gaps faced by today’s five billion mobile subscribers and finally bring broadband to the billions who remain unconnected. For more information, follow AST SpaceMobile on YouTube, X (Formerly Twitter), LinkedIn and Facebook. Watch this video for an overview of the SpaceMobile mission.

Forward-Looking Statements

This communication contains “forward-looking statements” that are not historical facts, and involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results of AST SpaceMobile to differ materially from those expected and projected. These forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology, including the words “believes,” “estimates,” “anticipates,” “expects,” “intends,” “plans,” “may,” “will,” “would,” “potential,” “projects,” “predicts,” “continue,” or “should,” or, in each case, their negative or other variations or comparable terminology. These forward-looking statements involve significant risks and uncertainties that could cause the actual results to differ materially from the expected results. Most of these factors are outside AST SpaceMobile’s control and are difficult to predict.

Factors that may cause such differences include, but are not limited to: (i) expectations regarding AST SpaceMobile’s strategies and future financial performance, including AST’s future business plans or objectives, expected functionality of the SpaceMobile Service, anticipated demand and acceptance of mobile satellite services, prospective performance and commercial opportunities and competitors, the timing of obtaining regulatory approvals, anticipated timing of the launch of the Block 2 Bluebird satellites, ability to finance its research and development activities, commercial partnership acquisition and retention, products and services, pricing, marketing plans, operating expenses, market trends, revenues, liquidity, cash flows and uses of cash, capital expenditures, and AST’s ability to invest in growth initiatives; (ii) the negotiation of definitive agreements with mobile network operators relating to the SpaceMobile service that would supersede preliminary agreements and memoranda of understanding and the ability to enter into commercial agreements with other parties or government entities; (iii) the ability of AST SpaceMobile to grow and manage growth profitably and retain its key employees and AST SpaceMobile’s responses to actions of its competitors and its ability to effectively compete; (iv) changes in applicable laws or regulations; (v) the possibility that AST SpaceMobile may be adversely affected by other economic, business, and/or competitive factors; (vi) the outcome of any legal proceedings that may be instituted against AST SpaceMobile; and (vii) other risks and uncertainties indicated in the Company’s filings with the SEC, including those in the Risk Factors section of AST SpaceMobile’s Form 10-K filed with the SEC on April 1, 2024.

AST SpaceMobile cautions that the foregoing list of factors is not exclusive. AST SpaceMobile cautions readers not to place undue reliance upon any forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made. For information identifying important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking statements, please refer to the Risk Factors incorporated by reference into AST SpaceMobile’s Form 10-K filed with the SEC on April 1, 2024. AST SpaceMobile’s securities filings can be accessed on the EDGAR section of the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. Except as expressly required by applicable securities law, AST SpaceMobile disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241114979308/en/

Investor:

Scott Wisniewski

investors@ast-science.com



Media:

Allison

Eva Murphy Ryan

917-547-7289

ASTSpaceMobile@allisonpr.com

Source: AST SpaceMobile, Inc.

FAQ

When will AST SpaceMobile (ASTS) launch its Block 2 satellites?

AST SpaceMobile plans to launch its Block 2 satellites during 2025 and 2026 from Cape Canaveral Florida Space Force Station.

How many Block 2 satellites will AST SpaceMobile (ASTS) deploy?

AST SpaceMobile plans to deploy up to approximately 60 Block 2 satellites.

What is the bandwidth capacity of AST SpaceMobile's (ASTS) Block 2 BlueBirds?

The Block 2 BlueBirds are designed to deliver up to 10 times the bandwidth capacity of current BlueBird satellites, with peak speeds up to 120 Mbps.

How many mobile network operators partner with AST SpaceMobile (ASTS)?

AST SpaceMobile has agreements with more than 45 mobile network operators globally, representing over 2.8 billion subscribers.