What is AST SpaceMobile’s mission?

AST SpaceMobile is building the first and only space-based cellular broadband network accessible directly by standard, unmodified mobile phones. Our mission is to eliminate the connectivity gaps faced by today’s five billion mobile subscribers and finally bring broadband to the billions who remain unconnected around the world.

Why do we need space-based connectivity?

Reliable mobile coverage has become essential to modern life – not only for daily, personal communication, but also for accessing critical services such as remote education, healthcare, and jobs. Yet, more than 87% of the world’s surface is out of reach from traditional cell towers.

AST SpaceMobile is working to close that gap. Our space-based technology is designed to connect the unconnected, bringing broadband access directly to standard mobile phones everywhere, even in the most remote areas. By democratizing access to the digital economy, we are not just connecting devices, we are connecting people and unlocking limitless potential.

What is needed to access the service?

Your existing, everyday smartphone. No need for any special devices, software updates, or apps.  

Has the technology been proven?

Yes. AST SpaceMobile has achieved a series of world firsts for satellite direct-to-cell broadband connectivity using everyday smartphones. We have made the first-ever voice, video, and 5G calls from space and demonstrated download speeds up to 21 Mbps.

Below are the key achievements from our prototype satellite, BlueWalker 3, and our first commercial satellites, BlueBirds 1–5: BlueWalker 3:

BlueBirds 1-5:

How is AST SpaceMobile different from other companies offering space-based communication services?

AST SpaceMobile is building the first and only space-based network purpose-built to deliver full broadband capabilities directly to everyday smartphones. Going far beyond basic texting, our network will enable voice and video calls, streaming, apps, and downloads at 4G and 5G speeds – wherever you are.

Additionally, our satellites feature the largest commercial phased arrays ever deployed in low Earth orbit. This approach enables wider coverage areas, highly targeted beams that minimize interference, more simultaneous connections, and global service with a smaller constellation of approximately 90 satellites – opposed to tens of thousands required by other systems.

From day one, our strategy has been to partner with mobile network operators (MNOs) to expand and enhance their coverage. With more than 50 partners across the globe, our network will integrate seamlessly with their existing infrastructure, enabling us to reach nearly 3 billion combined subscribers.

What is the data capacity, and what is an ASIC?

AST SpaceMobile’s next-generation BlueBird satellites will be capable of supporting more than 2,000 coverage zones, or “cells,” with peak data transmission speeds of up to 120 Mbps per cell. This means a single satellite can support millions of calls, streams, downloads, and messages every day – working together to ensure 24/7, high-speed mobile connectivity worldwide.

This performance is powered by our custom AST5000 application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), which will be integrated in our BlueBirds by early 2026. After more than five years of development and testing – equal to over 150 person-years of team effort – the AST5000 delivers major advancements in performance and efficiency. Built with a low-power architecture, this proprietary chip supports up to 10 GHz of processing bandwidth per satellite, which is a tenfold improvement from our first-generation satellites, BlueBirds 1-5.

How many satellites do you need for global coverage?

We expect that 45-60 BlueBird satellites will enable continuous coverage across select markets, including the United States, Europe, and Japan. With approximately 90 satellites, we anticipate providing 24/7 coverage worldwide.

Who are your partners?

We have eight strategic partners: AT&T, Verizon, Vodafone, Rakuten, Google, American Tower, Bell Canada, and stc group. We also have agreements with over 50 leading mobile network operators worldwide, which have nearly 3 billion subscribers combined.

What kind of services will be offered?

Our next-generation BlueBird satellites are designed to deliver 24/7 cellular broadband connectivity worldwide. By working with mobile network operators, we can integrate our satellite network with their established infrastructure and ensure regulatory compliance across regions. When users are outside the range of a cell tower, their device will automatically switch to our satellite network. Whether in cities, remote areas, at sea, on mountaintops, or even in flight, users will be able to access a full range of broadband services – including voice and video calls, streaming, messaging, app usage, and data downloads – at 4G and 5G speeds.

How much will the service cost?

Determined by our operators partners, the cost will vary by market and include options such as a day pass, monthly add-on, and emergency use.

When will you begin beta testing with end users?

The initial service will support beta users in the U.S. through AT&T and Verizon, targeting non-continuous coverage nationwide using premium low-band spectrum. This testing was approved in February 2025 by the FCC and we will share more information at a later date.

When is the next satellite launch?

Our next-generation BlueBird campaign is ramping up with launches planned every 1-2 months, targeting 45-60 satellites by the end of 2026. BlueBird 6, the first in the series, has arrived at its launch provider with launch scheduled for December 15th. We remain on track to complete 40 phased arrays by early 2026, which will bring us to BlueBird 46.

How will you prevent interference with ground-based astronomy?

We are committed to responsible space stewardship and work closely with the astronomical community to minimize our impact. We have signed a coordination agreement with the U.S. National Science Foundation and recognize the International Astronomical Union’s Dark and Quiet Skies guidelines to implement best practices that reduce interference with ground-based optical, infrared, and radio astronomy observations.

Additionally, we use strategic orientation to reduce reflection and are engineering specialized coatings for the arrays to further reduce reflection. By operating at lower altitudes, our satellites spend less time in sunlight, further reducing visibility. We also provide observatories with accurate, real-time orbital data to help them plan their observations effectively.

What is the end-of-life plan for your satellites and how do you prevent debris?

Through our Space Act Agreement with NASA, we follow all collision avoidance best practices outlined in the NASA Spacecraft Conjunction Assessment and Collision Avoidance Best Practices Handbook. We also meet regularly with NASA’s Conjunction Assessment Risk Analysis (CARA) team to coordinate orbital safety measures. 

Each satellite is designed for up to 10 years of service in low Earth orbit. At the end of its life, it will be deorbited within five years through controlled maneuvers or natural drag and will burn up completely on reentry. Also, we expect to provide global coverage with approximately 90 satellites, allowing us to maintain a much smaller orbital footprint compared to large-scale constellations.

How do you prevent interference with radio frequencies?

Our satellites operate in spectrum bands allocated for mobile broadband under agreements that limit interference with other services and users.

We use precision beamforming to avoid sensitive areas such as radio observatories and carefully select gateway locations in consultation with the NSF. Certain bands, such as 430–440 megahertz, are reserved for emergency use only when other bands are unavailable, and we can halt transmissions immediately if harmful interference is detected.

Does service require a clear view of the sky?

Our large phased arrays deliver strong link performance, capable of connecting not only outdoors through any weather conditions, but also “one wall in” — such as inside buildings, vehicles, or airplanes.

Is the network 3GPP standards compliant?

Yes. AST SpaceMobile’s technology is built on 3GPP standards for Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTN). Our comprehensive spectrum strategy combines our own licensed L- and S-bands with those of our mobile network operator partners. The 3GPP Release-19 L- and S-band RF and conformance packages are now stabilized, meaning our service aligns with industry specifications supported by all major smartphone manufacturers — enabling direct connectivity with existing smartphones.

What is SatCo and how is it a dedicated solution for Europe?

SatCo is a joint venture between Vodafone and AST SpaceMobile that will launch a dedicated mid-band satellite constellation specifically for delivering direct-to-cell broadband across Europe. Supported by a soon-to-be-established Satellite Operations Centre in Germany, SatCo will provide secure and resilient connectivity for European citizens, businesses, and public-sector organizations — including emergency response services. Commercial launch is planned from 2026, with strong interest from mobile network operators across most EU member states and other European countries.