AST SpaceMobile, Inc.

AST SpaceMobile, Inc. is a satellite designer and manufacturer focused on building the first and only space-based cellular broadband network. The company's mission is to eliminate connectivity gaps for mobile users globally, providing 4G and 5G cellular broadband directly to standard, unmodified smartphones everywhere. Headquartered in Midland, Texas, the company aims to connect the approximately five billion mobile subscribers who experience coverage gaps and the billions more who remain unconnected.

AST SpaceMobile's core offering is the SpaceMobile satellite constellation, featuring its BlueBird satellites, which function as cell towers in space. This technology enables direct-to-device connectivity, eliminating the need for specialized equipment or phone modifications. The company targets both commercial and government applications, focusing on remote and underserved regions. It has established strategic partnerships with major mobile network operators, including AT&T, Verizon, Vodafone, Rakuten, and Bell Canada, to integrate its service and expand coverage.

Founded by Chairman and CEO Abel Avellan, AST SpaceMobile became a revenue-generating business in 2025, reporting $70.9 million in revenue, partly from a U.S. Government contract. In October 2024, the company successfully unfolded its first five commercial BlueBird satellites. In April 2026, the FCC granted AST SpaceMobile commercial authority to deploy and operate a constellation of up to 248 satellites. However, a BlueBird 7 satellite launched in April 2026 was placed into a lower-than-planned orbit due to a launch vehicle malfunction, impacting deployment goals. The company has received recognition, including being named among TIME's 10 Most Influential Media and Communications Companies of 2026 and Fast Company's Most Innovative Companies.