The future of wireless connectivity might be located in space. And some of the biggest cellular provides in the world are betting big on it being a massive opportunity.
What’s happening:
- AST SpaceMobile (NASDAQ: ASTS) has successfully launched their first five commercial satellites into orbit from the Kennedy Space Centre in Florida
The big idea:
- AST SpaceMobile’s commercial satellites known as BlueBirds are capable of delivering wireless connectivity from low Earth orbit to mobile phone users in areas where there would otherwise be no coverage
- By building space-based cellular broadband networks, AST SpaceMobile’s satellites are able to provide standard smartphones with high speed connectivity for voice, data and even video streaming
Why it matters:
- AST SpaceMobile is aiming to build the world’s first space-based cellular broadband network which has the potential to drastically expand the amount of connectivity available globally
By the numbers:
- Since inception, AST SpaceMobile has raised $1B USD in total funding and has filed more than 3,000 different patents to protect their satellite technology
- 42% of the global population does not have cellular broadband and 90% of the Earth’s surface is without cellular coverage of any kind
Going deeper:
- Multiple large cellular and wireless providers have made strategic investments into AST SpaceMobile, including Verizon (NYSE: VZ), AT&T (NYSE:T) and Vodafone (NASDAQ: VOD)
- Publicly traded space exploration and aerospace technology companies have been seeing a surge in capital inflows and excitement recently, with multiple different companies making historic breakthroughs and advancements that have the potential to radically change the future
