AST SpaceMobile, Inc. (NASDAQ: ASTS), the company building the first space-based cellular broadband network accessible directly by standard smartphones, announces it has updated its constellation filing with the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and related filings for its V-Band application with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).
“Our planned satellite network will provide services globally, but this initiative represents a closer strategic alignment of our network buildout and future network operations with the United States,” said Scott Wisniewski, Chief Strategy Officer of AST SpaceMobile. “AST SpaceMobile is a U.S. based company, traded publicly on the NASDAQ, and has its primary satellite development and manufacturing capabilities in the United States. The United States is the global leader in establishing comprehensive and forward-thinking regulatory frameworks for satellite communications and AST SpaceMobile is proud to be a U.S.-based company with a system built on American innovation and technology.”
The decision to update the licensing administration of the AST SpaceMobile constellation filing comes as the Federal Communications Commission in the United States has continued its Supplemental Coverage from Space rule making process, demonstrating continued leadership in direct-to-device regulation globally. The final draft rules, unveiled last month, represent a step forward for the company’s planned service offering as its work towards offering commercial service in the United States.
AST SpaceMobile recently secured strategic investments from AT&T, Google and Vodafone, as well as a new contract award with the United States Government through a prime contractor. The company has agreements and understandings with more than 40 mobile network operators globally, which have over two billion existing subscribers total, including Vodafone Group, Rakuten Mobile, AT&T, Bell Canada, Orange, Telefonica, TIM, Saudi Telecom Company, MTN, Zain KSA, Etisalat, Indosat Ooredoo Hutchison, Telkomsel, Smart Communications, Globe Telecom, Millicom, Smartfren, Telecom Argentina, Telstra, Africell, Liberty Latin America and others. Rakuten, American Tower and Bell Canada are also existing investors in AST SpaceMobile.