FCC Grants AST SpaceMobile Commercial Authority to Deliver Direct-to-Device Cellular Broadband from Space Advancing Nationwide, Resilient Cellular Broadband Connectivity in the United States

Rhea-AI Impact

(Moderate)

Rhea-AI Sentiment

(Positive)

Key Terms

non-geostationary orbit (ngso) technical

Non-geostationary orbit (NGSO) describes satellites that move relative to a point on Earth rather than appearing fixed overhead, such as low- and medium-Earth orbit constellations. For investors, NGSO matters because these satellites offer lower delay and different coverage patterns than fixed geostationary satellites, which affects service quality, deployment and launch costs, regulatory approvals and the commercial ways companies can generate revenue—think of NGSO constellations as a fleet of delivery drones versus a single, high watchtower.

low earth orbit (leo) technical

Low Earth Orbit (LEO) is the region of space close to Earth, roughly up to 2,000 kilometers above the surface, where most communication, imaging and weather satellites operate. It matters to investors because it is a fast-growing commercial zone — think of it as a crowded highway for satellites — creating opportunities in satellite manufacturing, launch services, broadband and data analytics while also bringing risks from congestion, debris, regulatory licensing and intense competition.

feeder links technical

Feeder links are external hyperlinks or entry points that direct readers and traffic into a company’s press release, filing, or disclosure page; think of them as small streams channeling visitors into a main river of information. They matter to investors because where and how a corporate announcement is linked affects how many people see it, how quickly information spreads, and sometimes the perceived credibility of the source — all of which can influence investor attention and market reaction.

telemetry, tracking, and command (tt&c) technical

Telemetry, tracking, and command (TT&C) are the systems and procedures used to monitor a satellite’s health and position, relay data back to operators, and send instructions to control it — like a remote dashboard and steering wheel for a spacecraft. Investors care because TT&C determines whether a satellite can deliver services, be maintained or repositioned, and recover from problems, directly affecting revenue, operational costs, and asset risk.

v-band spectrum technical

V‑band spectrum is a slice of the radio frequency range around roughly 40–75 GHz used for high-capacity wireless links such as short-range 5G, point-to-point backhaul, and certain satellite connections. It matters to investors because it offers an 'express lane' for large data flows—enabling faster services and new products—but requires dense infrastructure, clear line-of-sight and can be affected by weather and regulation, affecting deployment costs and revenue potential.

s-band technical

S-band is a portion of the radio spectrum roughly between 2 and 4 gigahertz used for wireless links like satellite communications, weather and air-traffic radar, and some mobile services. For investors it matters because access to S-band frequencies and the gear that uses them can drive revenue or require regulatory approval — think of spectrum as traffic lanes for data: owning or getting a license to use those lanes can directly affect a company’s ability to offer services and compete.

uhf spectrum technical

The UHF spectrum is the portion of radio frequencies used for wireless communications, television broadcasting and mobile data — think of it as a band of invisible lanes on the airwaves where signals travel. It matters to investors because access to these lanes determines how well carriers and broadcasters can deliver services, how much regulatory agencies charge or auction them, and how valuable related equipment and services become; changes in allocation or demand can affect revenue and competition much like adding or removing lanes on a busy highway affects traffic flow.

See more from StockTitan in Google Search and AI answers. Adds StockTitan as a preferred source · opens Google

Add on Google

04/22/2026 - 07:30 AM

Approval enables supplemental coverage from space using 700/800 MHz premium low-band spectrum in coordination with strategic partners Verizon, AT&T, and FirstNet

Supports global deployment with international operating rights for feeder links and sub-1 GHz direct-to-device spectrum, enabling country-by-country authorizations

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, designed for both commercial and government applications, today announced that the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has granted its application to modify its authorization to launch and operate its SpaceMobile non-geostationary orbit (NGSO) satellite system in low Earth orbit (LEO).

FCC Grants AST SpaceMobile Commercial Authority to Deliver Direct-to-Device Cellular Broadband from Space Advancing Nationwide, Resilient Cellular Broadband Connectivity in the United States

The authorization enables AST SpaceMobile to deploy and operate an NGSO constellation of up to 248 satellites to deliver Supplemental Coverage from Space (SCS) directly to unmodified mobile devices across the United States, using premium low-band spectrum - 700 MHz and 800 MHz - which offers superior penetration and coverage characteristics, in coordination with its mobile network operators strategic partners Verizon, AT&T, and FirstNet.

By integrating directly with partner mobile network operator infrastructure, the AST SpaceMobile network enhances network resilience, supports critical communications for first responders, government agencies, enterprises and consumers, and enables users to access space-based cellular broadband using standard, unmodified smartphones.

The grant reflects the Commission’s recognition of AST SpaceMobile’s ability to operate alongside existing terrestrial networks while managing interference and complying with applicable technical requirements, further validating the company’s unique technology and system design. It also supports the broader regulatory framework for AST SpaceMobile’s global deployment, enabling country-by-country authorizations across multiple frequency bands.

AST SpaceMobile system is designed to operate across a broad range of frequency bands supporting feeder links, telemetry, tracking, and command (TT&C), and service links globally, with updated technical parameters designed to enhance performance and efficiency, including

Low-band cellular spectrum for direct-to-device service links in the United States and globally
V-band spectrum for gateway and feeder link operations (37.5–42.0 GHz, 45.5-47 GHz, 47.2–50.2 GHz, 50.4–51.4 GHz)
S-band and UHF spectrum for TT&C operations

Today marks an important step as we continue scaling our network and moving closer to commercial service,” said Abel Avellan, Founder, Chairman, and CEO of AST SpaceMobile. “We are accelerating deployment of our constellation, advancing integration with leading mobile network operators, and preparing to deliver seamless, space-based cellular broadband directly to everyday smartphones, bringing us closer to connecting people everywhere.”

AST SpaceMobile is approximately 95% vertically integrated with its primary manufacturing hub in Texas, has over 500,000 square feet and over 2000 employees globally, and keeps all major manufacturing processes under U.S. control. The company continues to invest in expanding its U.S. facilities and advancing its manufacturing capabilities, providing the foundation for the American leadership in space-based cellular broadband connectivity.

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 enable 4G and 5G space-based cellular broadband to every device, everywhere, for today’s nearly 6 billion mobile subscribers globally. 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 could 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 timing of the launch of the Block 2 BlueBird satellites, anticipated demand and acceptance of mobile satellite services, prospective performance and commercial opportunities and competitors, the timing of obtaining regulatory approvals, 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 SpaceMobile’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 Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), including those in the Risk Factors section of AST SpaceMobile’s Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 2, 2026.

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 in AST SpaceMobile’s Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 2, 2026. 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.