The Largest-Ever Commercial Communications
Arrays to Be Deployed In Low Earth Orbit
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 that
its first five commercial satellites, called BlueBirds, have
arrived in Cape Canaveral, Florida, ahead of the planned orbital
launch during a 7-day launch window in September.”
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AST SpaceMobile BlueBird satellites
arrive at Cape Canaveral (Photo: Business Wire)
The BlueBird satellites feature the largest-ever commercial
communications arrays to be deployed in low Earth orbit, at a
remarkable 693 square feet, a technological leap forward in AST
SpaceMobile’s ability to deliver seamless cellular broadband
connectivity to billions of mobile users worldwide.
Building on the success of its BlueWalker 3 satellite, AST
SpaceMobile's first five commercial satellites will have a tenfold
increase in processing capacity. This advancement sets the stage
for delivering global space-based cellular broadband directly to
everyday smartphones, starting with non-continuous coverage across
the continental United States using over 5,600 cells on premium
low-band spectrum.
“These satellites represent years of relentless innovation,”
said Abel Avellan, Founder, Chairman and CEO of AST SpaceMobile,
“We are excited to take yet another step towards bridging the
digital divide on a global scale with space-base cellular
broadband.”
These first five commercial satellites were built in AST
SpaceMobile state-of-the-art 185,000 square feet facilities in
Midland, TX, specifically designed for satellite production. This
advanced facility, equipped with cutting-edge technology, is a
testament to AST SpaceMobile's commitment to innovation and
operational excellence.
During 2024, AST SpaceMobile has secured additional strategic
investment from AT&T, Verizon, Google and Vodafone, as well as
a new contract award with the United States Government through a
prime contractor. The company has agreements with more than 45
mobile network operators globally, which have over 2.8 billion
existing subscribers total, including Vodafone Group, AT&T,
Verizon, Rakuten Mobile, Bell Canada, Orange, Telefonica, TIM,
Saudi Telecom Company, Zain KSA, Etisalat, Indosat Ooredoo
Hutchison, Telkomsel, Smart Communications, Globe Telecom,
Millicom, Smartfren, Telecom Argentina, MTN, Telstra, Africell,
Liberty Latin America and others. AT&T, Verizon, Vodafone,
Google, Rakuten, American Tower, and Bell Canada are also existing
investors in AST SpaceMobile.
About AST SpaceMobile
AST SpaceMobile is building the first and only global cellular
broadband network in space to operate directly with standard,
unmodified mobile devices based on our extensive IP and patent
portfolio, and designed for both commercial and government
applications. Our engineers and space scientists are on a mission
to eliminate the connectivity gaps faced by today’s five billion
mobile subscribers and finally bring broadband to the billions who
remain unconnected. For more information, follow AST SpaceMobile on
YouTube, X (Formerly Twitter), LinkedIn and Facebook. Watch this
video for an overview of the SpaceMobile mission.
Forward-Looking Statements
This communication contains “forward-looking statements” that
are not historical facts, and involve risks and uncertainties that
could cause actual results of AST SpaceMobile to differ materially
from those expected and projected. These forward-looking statements
can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology,
including the words “believes,” “estimates,” “anticipates,”
“expects,” “intends,” “plans,” “may,” “will,” “would,” “potential,”
“projects,” “predicts,” “continue,” or “should,” or, in each case,
their negative or other variations or comparable terminology.
These forward-looking statements involve significant risks and
uncertainties that could cause the actual results to differ
materially from the expected results. Most of these factors are
outside AST SpaceMobile’s control and are difficult to predict.
Factors that could cause such differences include, but are not
limited to: (i) expectations regarding AST SpaceMobile’s strategies
and future financial performance, including AST’s future business
plans or objectives, expected functionality of the SpaceMobile
Service, anticipated timing of the launch of the Block 1 BlueBird
satellites, anticipated demand and acceptance of mobile satellite
services, prospective performance and commercial opportunities and
competitors, the timing of obtaining regulatory approvals, ability
to finance its research and development activities, commercial
partnership acquisition and retention, products and services,
pricing, marketing plans, operating expenses, market trends,
revenues, liquidity, cash flows and uses of cash, capital
expenditures, and AST SpaceMobile’s ability to invest in growth
initiatives; (ii) the negotiation of definitive agreements with
mobile network operators relating to the SpaceMobile Service that
would supersede preliminary agreements and memoranda of
understanding and the ability to enter into commercial agreements
with other parties or government entities; (iii) the ability of AST
SpaceMobile to grow and manage growth profitably and retain its key
employees and AST SpaceMobile’s responses to actions of its
competitors and its ability to effectively compete; (iv) changes in
applicable laws or regulations; (v) the possibility that AST
SpaceMobile may be adversely affected by other economic, business,
and/or competitive factors; (vi) the outcome of any legal
proceedings that may be instituted against AST SpaceMobile; and
(vii) other risks and uncertainties indicated in the Company’s
filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC),
including those in the Risk Factors section of AST SpaceMobile’s
Form 10-K filed with the SEC on April 1, 2024.
AST SpaceMobile cautions that the foregoing list of factors is
not exclusive. AST SpaceMobile cautions readers not to place undue
reliance upon any forward-looking statements, which speak only as
of the date made. For information identifying important factors
that could cause actual results to differ materially from those
anticipated in the forward-looking statements, please refer to the
Risk Factors in AST SpaceMobile’s Form 10-K filed with the SEC on
April 1, 2024. AST SpaceMobile’s securities filings can be accessed
on the EDGAR section of the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. Except as
expressly required by applicable securities law, AST SpaceMobile
disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any
forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information,
future events or otherwise.
View source
version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240808143608/en/
Investors: Scott Wisniewski investors@ast-science.com
Media: Allison Eva Murphy Ryan 917-547-7289
AstSpaceMobile@allisonpr.com
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