AST SpaceMobile, Inc. (NASDAQ: ASTS) is a space telecommunications infrastructure company developing the first and only end-to-end space-based cellular broadband network that connects directly to standard mobile phones. By building and operating a constellation of low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites, AST SpaceMobile seeks to eliminate coverage gaps commonly experienced in remote and rural regions. The company’s network architecture is designed to integrate seamlessly with existing 4G LTE and 5G standards, allowing subscribers to use their current handsets without specialized equipment or ground-based towers.
Central to AST SpaceMobile’s offering is its BlueBird satellite platform, which serves as both a cell tower in space and a backhaul node. Following the successful demonstration of the BlueWalker 3 technology satellite in 2022—during which the company conducted a live two-way voice call over the AT&T network to a standard smartphone—AST SpaceMobile is advancing toward commercial service. Future deployments include multiple BlueBird satellites equipped with high-throughput antennas, inter-satellite links and software-defined payloads that support dynamic spectrum allocation.
AST SpaceMobile has entered into strategic agreements with major wireless operators around the globe, including AT&T in the United States and Mexico, Vodafone in Europe and Japan’s Rakuten Mobile, to expand service coverage. These partnerships aim to deliver on-demand connectivity across underserved areas in North America, Europe, Africa and Asia. The company also collaborates with launch providers such as Blue Origin and Arianespace to deploy its satellites into LEO, targeting gradual constellation expansion through 2025.
Founded in 2017 by Abel Avellan—who serves as chairman and chief executive officer—AST SpaceMobile is headquartered in Midland, Texas, with additional offices in Florida and international sites. Avellan brings decades of experience in aerospace and telecommunications, having previously led companies focused on satellite payload design and network integration. Under his leadership, the company has grown from a concept-stage developer to a publicly traded enterprise committed to extending mobile broadband to billions of unserved and underserved users worldwide.
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