Mentioned:
AST SpaceMobile has just earned a major new regulatory approval. And it might change the future of cellular broadband in America.
What’s happening:
- AST SpaceMobile (NASDAQ: ASTS) has received full commercial authority to run a nationwide direct-to-device mobile network from space in the United States by the Federal Communications Commission
Why it matters:
- This is the first time ever that AST SpaceMobile has been allowed to use terrestrial spectrum from major mobile carries such as Verizon and AT&T to deliver commercial direct-to-device cellular broadband service from space directly to mobile phones in America
Going deeper:
- The new approval from the Federal Communications Commission gives AST SpaceMobile commercial authorization and permission to scale up to a 248 satellite low Earth orbit constellation using low band spectrum from major mobile network partners within the United States
- Elon Musk’s SpaceX is the only other satellite operator to receive direct-to-device approval from the Federal Communications Commission to provide supplemental mobile coverage from space using terrestrial mobile spectrum
The fine print:
- The Federal Communications Commission has publicly stated AST SpaceMobile must deploy 124 satellites in orbit within four years and all 248 satellites within seven years as part of their new approval
The intrigue:
- AST SpaceMobile also previously made major waves on Wall Street when they won their first ever contract focused on leveraging their satellite technology for national security and military missions
