Why Spectrum Matters for Connecting the World
By AST SpaceMobile Editorial Team
For AST SpaceMobile, spectrum is at the heart of our mission to bring true broadband from space to everyday smartphones. When you make a call, stream a video, or send a message, your phone is not just using hardware. It is tapping into an invisible resource called radio spectrum, the ‘lanes of a highway ’ in the sky, carrying the phone signals.
This highway is a limited resource that is shared among users. Unlike a physical highway, spectrum is naturally occurring and cannot be created or manufactured. It must be licensed, shared, and managed, which is why securing the proper spectrum bands is essential for delivering services at scale.
Every data connection travels on this highway. The wider the road, which is often measured in bandwidth, the faster your data can move, and the more traffic it can handle. More spectrum means more lanes, supporting not just faster connections for individuals, but also the ability to serve millions of subscribers simultaneously without congestion.
The type and amount of spectrum available determines how far your signal can reach, how fast your connection can be, how reliable your experience feels, and how many people can use the network at the same time.
What Is Spectrum, and Why Does it Matter?
Spectrum is the fuel of wireless communications. Different bands of spectrum have unique characteristics:
- Low-band spectrum (sub-1 Ghz): Good travel and propagation characteristics, including strong wall penetration; ideal for coverage in rural areas or indoors.
- Mid-band spectrum (1-6 Ghz): Balances speed and coverage, powering most of today’s 4G and 5G services.
- Higher bands (above 6 Ghz): Deliver lightning-fast speeds but over short distances.
Cell towers — and soon satellites — manage wireless traffic by assigning each connection a path across the spectrum and ensuring that calls, texts, and data reach their destination.
Without access to spectrum, even the most advanced satellite or cell tower is just hardware without capability. And without enough spectrum, networks may function, but they quickly become overloaded when too many subscribers try to connect at once.
AST SpaceMobile’s Unique Spectrum Advantage
Unlike many satellite systems that can only handle basic texting, AST SpaceMobile is built for full broadband from inception. Our BlueBird satellites—the largest and most advanced commercial phased arrays ever deployed in low Earth orbit—are designed to tap into a broad range of premium spectrum bands globally.
As of today, AST SpaceMobile has access to:
1,150 MHz low- and mid-band tunable MNO spectrum globally
45 MHz of AST SpaceMobile-licensed MSS low-mid band spectrum in North America
60 MHz of AST SpaceMobile-licensed S-band spectrum outside North America
50+ MNO partners’ allocated spectrum
This is about what spectrum enables: the ability to power voice, video, apps, streaming , email, and browsing on your regular smartphone, without any special hardware or modifications.
More Lanes, Faster Speeds, Greater Capacity
With over 1,150 MHz of tunable low-and mid-band MNO spectrum globally, our network functions like a private superhighway in the sky. Peak data rates of up to 120 Mbps mean everything you do on your phone works reliably, while the bandwidth ensures we can serve millions of users at once without bottlenecks.
Exclusive Access
Licensed spectrum, including 45 Mhz of MSS low-mid band in North America and 60 Mhz of S-band spectrum elsewhere, provides dedicated lanes on this highway. These licenses ensure consistent, high quality service wherever you are.
Seamless Integration
Through partnerships with more than 50 mobile network operators serving nearly 3 billion subscribers, our network connects directly with your existing carrier. Your phone will switch automatically to our satellites when you are outside terrestial coverage.
AST SpaceMobile’s Unique Cost Efficiency Spectrum Advantage
The amount of spectrum we are securing also highlights a critical business advantage: cost efficiency.
The price paid for spectrum is a major factor in what the end user will ultimately pay for service. By making smart and rational cost-efficient investments in spectrum, we are ensuring affordability for users and the long-term viability of our business.
We are committed to offering a premium service while continuing to innovate for years to come, knowing our foundation is both technologically sound and financially sustainable.
Why This Matters for Users
Spectrum is the difference between
A call dropping in the middle of nowhere vs. staying connected.
Weak signals at the edge of a network vs. 120 Mbps peak data speeds from space
Sending just a text vs. streaming video or joining a video call
A few people getting service vs. millions of subscribers connected at once
Bringing It All Together
The future of mobile broadband isn’t about choosing between statellites or cell towers. It’s about bringing their strengths together.
Our unique spectrum strategy, combined with our groundbreaking satellite technology with the largest satellites ever deployed in low Earth orbit, spanning 2,400 square feet, is the reason we will be able to enable true cellular broadband from space. This is how we are building the future of connectivity and working to end the digital divide.
With AST SpaceMobile’s spectrum-enabled approach, your phone simply works—anywhere on Earth.
That’s the power of spectrum. That’s the power of AST SpaceMobile.
