AST SpaceMobile announced an agreement for long-term access to up to 45 MHz of lower mid-band spectrum in the United States for direct-to-device satellite applications.
This agreement, when finalized, will enhance AST SpaceMobile’s technology and space-based network by pairing existing low-band spectrum plans—which offer superior penetration and coverage characteristics—with access to the largest available block of high-quality nationwide spectrum in the United States.
“Adding premium lower mid-band spectrum access in the United States to the AST SpaceMobile network gives us long-term access to a large block of a scarce resource, significantly enhancing our planned space-based cellular broadband offering,” said Abel Avellan, Chairman and CEO at AST SpaceMobile.
• Spectrum Access: Agreement provides up to 45 MHz of lower mid-band spectrum in the U.S.
• Enhanced Capabilities: Combines with existing low-band spectrum for improved coverage and data speeds.
• Peak Data Speeds: Aims to deliver peak data transmission speeds up to 120 Mbps.
• Network Expansion: Supports the development of space-based cellular broadband accessible directly by standard smartphones.
Founded in 2017 by Abel Avellan, AST SpaceMobile is headquartered in Midland, Texas. The company is building the SpaceMobile satellite constellation, a space-based cellular broadband network designed to allow existing, unmodified smartphones to connect to satellites in areas with coverage gaps.
In September 2024, AST SpaceMobile launched its first five commercial BlueBird satellites into low Earth orbit, each featuring the largest-ever commercial communications arrays deployed in low Earth orbit, reaching approximately 700 square feet in size. These initial satellites will offer non-continuous cellular broadband service across the United States and in select markets globally, targeting approximately 100% nationwide coverage from space with over 5,600 coverage cells in the United States.
The next-generation Block 2 BlueBirds, featuring up to 2,400 square-foot communications arrays, are designed to deliver up to 10 times the bandwidth capacity of the BlueBird satellites in orbit, enabling peak data transmission speeds of up to 120 Mbps, supporting voice, full data, and video applications, and other native cellular capabilities.
