Would-be satellite constellation operator AST SpaceMobile received FCC approval on August 2nd (after the market had closed) to operate its V-band frequencies from its planned five ‘Block 1’ BlueBird craft. The five satellites are due to arrive at SpaceX’s Florida launch site imminently in readiness for a September launch. AST is planning a full internet […]
Many shareholders of AST SpaceMobile stock are beside themselves with anticipation of a spectacular rise in their holdings. Of course, there is the small challenge of launching the key five satellites that make up the very first portion of what will be a mega-constellation of approaching 90 satellites. The mission is to send and receive […]
There has been plenty of speculation as to the precise position and readiness of AST SpaceMobile’s first satellites. July 25th saw an official notice that its five AST BlueBird 1 craft have completed final assembly and are now ready for shipment to Cape Canaveral during the first week of August, with a 7-day launch window […]
There’s a new – and potentially major – revenue opportunity coming from a couple of satellite operators: SpaceX and AST SpaceMobile are both are planning to supply Direct-to-Device communications to ordinary ‘smart’ phones. An authoritative report from Analysis Mason’s Christopher Baugh outlines their challenges and pitfalls for SpaceX in particular. Analysys Mason has developed dedicated […]
A formal notice from AST SpaceMobile says that it is still targeting an August launch of a batch of its massive ‘Block 1’ BlueBird 5G satellites. News also emerged that the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has requested the ITU in Geneva, which regulates satellite frequencies globally, to recognise AST’s satellites (under its USASAT-NGSO-20 filing). The […]
During Q4, AST SpaceMobile is due to launch five of its massive ‘Block 1 BlueBird’ 5G-ready satellites into orbit. These satellites will deliver 5G signals. In Q1 2025, AST has stated it will start launching its Block 2 BlueBird versions, which it says will be “ten times more powerful” and downloading at least 14 Mb/s […]
It is all very well for a satellite service to handle conventional calls to and from isolated locations, but the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) needed to clarify how true emergency calls would be directed. AST, in a filing to the FCC, has explained how 911 calls will be handled and which will almost certainly be […]
AST SpaceMobile’s plans to place five of its ‘Block 1’ satellites into orbit are at an “advanced stage”, according to a Prospectus issued on July 3rd. The Prospectus was presented to the SEC in conjunction with a share transfer of 10.4 million shares from Antares Technologies LLC (a Cisneros-related business). AST is building a constellation […]
Abel Avellan, Founder, Chairman and CEO of AST SpaceMobile has written to partners, shareholders and even “future space-based cellular broadband network users” with an update on where the business is, especially following on the recent commitment by Verizon, which has joined AT&T in backing the company. Avellan describes Verizon and AT&T as the US industry […]
US telco giant AT&T is already a financial backer of AST SpaceMobile (and has guaranteed a $20 million revenue commitment). AST plans on circling the globe with its ‘direct-to-cellular’ satellite service. Unconfirmed reports suggest that AT&T expects some 30-40 per cent of its US clients to take a low-cost add-on service for connection to AST […]