Texas-based AST SpaceMobile (AST) will hold its Q2 investors update later today (August 11th) at 5pm Eastern Time. Investors and analysts are keen to know more on AST’s launch and business plans.

Some observers are suggesting that an Indian rocket launch of AST’s Bluebird FM1 heavyweight craft is delayed, perhaps beyond September. However, there are two SpaceX Falcon 9 launches planned for later in 2025 carrying multiple AST Bluebirds.

These two SpaceX launches – currently planned for December 2025 and confirmed by SpaceX – although it is currently unclear as to how many AST satellites the two missions will carry. Industry gossip suggests each SpaceX will carry four AST satellites. There is also an expected Blue Origin (the Jeff Bezos-backed rocket system) launch scheduled for early 2026.

If all these go as planned, then by early 2026, AST could have 23 satellites deployed in orbit and the embryonic beginnings of beta testing around the world.

Analysts will also want to know much more about the valuable acquisition of priority rights to crucial S-band spectrum (in the 1980–2010 MHz and 2170–2200 MHz) and AST’s plan to deliver broadband direct to devices. AST’s joint-venture with Vodafone (in Luxembourg-based SatCo JV) will also prompt questions as to when it could be expected to deliver connectivity. Previous statements have said the JV aims to distribute services to mobile network operators (MNOs) via a turnkey model, potentially reaching Vodafone’s 100+ million European customers and others, and commencing in “early 2026 if regulatory hurdles are cleared”.

It has now been confirmed that the S-band spectrum was originally licensed to Sky & Space Global which failed to launch its planned 200 satellites although some elements of the company were acquired by UK-based and registered Elliosat in July 2025.

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Categories: Articles, Satellite

Tags: AST SpaceMobile, Vodafone