AST SpaceMobile, which is preparing to offer low earth orbit (LEO)-based cellular broadband network services, says that it has gotten an initial license from the FCC for space-based operations in the United States.
Initially, AST SpaceMobile’s services will include a cellphone-to-satellite offering. It says that the license enables it 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.
“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,” said AST SpaceMobile President Scott Wisniewski.
AST SpaceMobile has completed the manufacturing, assembly, and environmental testing of the satellites. They were set to be shipped to Cape Canaveral in Florida this week and will have a week-long launch next month.
On July 1, AST SpaceMobile provided details of their agreements with AT&T and Verizon. The company said it will use a segment of the 850 MHz band that is “complementary spectrum” with investors AT&T and Verizon. The company said this will allow AST SpaceMobile’s services to provide 100% geographic coverage of the continental U.S.
AST SpaceMobile’s services will be able to be accessed through traditional cellphones and, unlike other services that operate outside of cell tower reach, will not require special devices. The company says it has agreements with more than 45 network operators worldwide with a collective subscriber base of more than 2.8 billion.
AST SpaceMobile’s services will compete with several LEO initiatives, most notably SpaceX’s Starlink. Last month, Starlink said that it had achieved 8.1 Gbps download and 2.8 Gbps upload speeds from a location not near land.
