In a critical regulatory move for the Direct-to-Device (D2D) sector, AST & Science, LLC (AST SpaceMobile) submitted formal comments on Tuesday, January 20, 2026, in response to the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) landmark Space Modernization Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM).
The filing addresses the agency’s sweeping proposal to overhaul satellite licensing and adapt federal oversight to the rapid deployment of massive, software-defined constellations.
The Transition to a Modular Licensing Framework
The “Space Modernization for the 21st Century” NPRM, designated as SB Docket No. 25-306, seeks to replace the legacy Part 25 regulatory framework with a new “Part 100” structure. This proposed overhaul introduces a modular “licensing assembly line” intended to expedite application processing for space systems that meet standardized technical criteria. The FCC’s goal is to transition from a manual, bespoke review process to an industrialized model capable of managing the unprecedented scale of modern megaconstellations, such as the SpaceMobile cellular broadband network.
Strategic Significance for Direct-to-Device Competition
AST SpaceMobile’s submission arrives during a pivotal phase for the D2D industry. Following the successful deployment of the next-generation BlueBird 6 satellite on December 23, 2025, the company is scaling its infrastructure to support global cellular connectivity via standard smartphones. The regulatory environment has grown increasingly competitive after the FCC granted a landmark Supplemental Coverage from Space (SCS) license to SpaceX and T-Mobile on December 16, 2025.
While competitors have engaged in technical disputes regarding power flux density (PFD) limits and signal interference, AST SpaceMobile under Chairman and CEO Abel Avellan has advocated for architectures that maximize antenna gain while maintaining strict interference controls. The company’s comments to the FCC are expected to emphasize the need for regulatory certainty and technological neutrality as operators vie for dominance in the ubiquitous connectivity market.
Upcoming Regulatory Milestones
The closure of the initial comment period on January 20 marks the end of the first major phase of the rulemaking process. According to the FCC schedule, reply comments are due by February 18, 2026. These subsequent filings will allow AST SpaceMobile and other industry stakeholders to respond directly to the positions taken by rival operators, further shaping the final “Part 100” rules that will govern the future of the American space economy.
