AST SpaceMobile Accelerates Presence Across Europe with Leading Mobile Network Operators
AST SpaceMobile, Inc. (“AST SpaceMobile”) (NASDAQ: ASTS), the company building the first and only space-based cellular broadband network accessible directly by everyday smartphones, designed for both commercial and government applications, today announced the expansion of activities in collaboration with leading mobile network operators to accelerate space-based cellular broadband connectivity across Europe.
Network Integration testing activities, subject to regulatory approvals, are underway and advancing across the United Kingdom, Ireland, Romania, France, the Czech Republic, Germany, Spain, and Ukraine in collaboration with Vodafone, Orange, Telefónica, Deutsche Telekom, and Vodafone Ukraine, leveraging the European-wide gateway infrastructure being rolled out by Satellite Connect Europe. The bespoke programs are designed to accelerate the seamless integration of AST SpaceMobile's space-based cellular broadband service with existing terrestrial mobile networks using standard, unmodified smartphones.
The European campaign builds on AST SpaceMobile's growing commercial momentum worldwide as the company advances deployment of its BlueBird satellite constellation and works with nearly 60 mobile network operators globally, representing over 3 billion existing subscribers.
The integration testing activities represent another significant step toward commercial deployment as AST SpaceMobile expand its footprint across Europe, enabled by the carrier-neutral gateway infrastructure of Satellite Connect Europe, the Luxemburg-headquartered joint venture between AST SpaceMobile and Vodafone, established to provide European-operated ground infrastructure and open access direct-to-device connectivity for mobile network operators across Europe. Together the companies are accelerating the deployment of space-based cellular broadband to extend coverage beyond the reach of terrestrial mobile infrastructure to eliminate coverage gaps while enhancing network resilience public safety communications, emergency response capabilities, and connectivity for consumers, enterprises, and government users.
“Working alongside many of the world’s leading mobile network operators, we are advancing activities across multiple countries to become a seamless complementary layer of connectivity alongside existing terrestrial networks,” said Chris Ivory, Chief Commercial Officer of AST SpaceMobile. “Together, we are building a future where everyday smartphones remain connected in more places, providing a layer of resilient connectivity for consumers, businesses, first responders, and governments.”
AST SpaceMobile's satellite technology, backed by approximately 3,900 patent and patent-pending claims, is designed to provide broadband connectivity directly to standard mobile devices without requiring specialized hardware, software, or applications. By integrating with existing mobile networks through standard 3GPP technologies, the company's solution enables operators to extend their coverage footprint while maintaining control of the customer relationship.
Featuring the largest-ever phased arrays deployed in low Earth orbit, at approximately 2,400 square feet - 223 square meters - AST SpaceMobile's cellular broadband network can connect directly to everyday smartphones, eliminating the need for specialized equipment. These next-generation satellites are designed to deliver nearly double the peak data speeds of the company's initial Block 1 BlueBird satellites, which recently achieved peak download speeds of 98.9 Mbps directly to standard smartphones, supporting voice, broadband data, and video applications from space for consumers, enterprises, first responders, and governments worldwide.