Commercial cellular broadband service
Beta service is being prepared with strategic partners. 3,000 digital cells are active across the continental U.S. No commercial launch date has been given.
The numbers
What it is
The planned service lets phones on partner networks send and receive cellular data by satellite where terrestrial coverage is missing. The FCC granted the company authority for commercial service in the United States in 2026, and the company is preparing a beta with select mobile operator partners.
Why it matters to the stock. Commercial service is the step that turns the network into recurring wholesale revenue. Until it starts, revenue depends on hardware and government work.
News
FCC authorizes AST SpaceMobile constellation of 248 satellites for commercial service
The FCC granted AST SpaceMobile authority to launch and operate a constellation of 248 non-geostationary satellites for Supplemental Coverage from Space, using low-band spectrum coordinated with Verizon, AT&T and FirstNet.