Press release
FCC Approves AST SpaceMobile Launch of First Commercial Satellites, Each the Largest-Ever Communications Array to be Deployed Commercially in Low Earth Orbit
The FCC grant paves the way for space-based cellular broadband services for everyday smartphones in the United States MIDLAND, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- AST
About this update from Ast Spacemobile, Inc.
[{"type":"text","content":"\nThe FCC grant paves the way for space-based cellular broadband services for everyday smartphones in the United States\n\n\n MIDLAND, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--\nAST 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 that the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has granted an initial license for space-based operations in the United States. With this initial license, AST SpaceMobile is now authorized to launch and operate V, S and UHF frequencies to support gateway, feeder link and telemetry, tracking, and control operations for the first five commercial BlueBird satellites.\n\nThis press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240805857810/en/AST SpaceMobile first five commercial satellites, BlueBird 1-5 (Photo: Business Wire)\nThis FCC grant represents a critical step to advancing several important goals shared by AST SpaceMobile and the Commission, including closing the digital divide, expanding access to emergency communications, accelerating digital transformation and advancing U.S. leadership in direct-to-device regulation. This step follows the March 2024 update of AST SpaceMobile’s constellation filings with the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and related filings with the FCC, placing the planned commercial satellites under the jurisdiction of the United States.\n\n\n“This regulatory milestone is a significant step to targeting 100% nationwide coverage from space of the continental United States on premium cellular spectrum,” said Scott Wisniewski, President of AST SpaceMobile. “Through our strategic partnerships with companies like AT&T, Verizon, Vodafone and our other key partners around the world, we aim to enhance cellular connectivity globally, essentially eliminating dead zones and empowering remote areas with space-based cellular broadband connectivity.”\n\n\n“The FCC grant paves the way for commercial space-based broadband services in the United States,” said Vikram Raval, Head of Global Regulatory Affairs. “By approving the launch of our first five BlueBirds, the largest-ever commercial communications arrays to be deployed in low Earth orb...