Space-based cellular broadband network company AST SpaceMobile announced on Monday, January 6, 2025, that it has reached an agreement to secure long-term access to up to 45 MHz of lower mid-band spectrum in the United States for its direct-to-device satellite applications.
Also Read: AST SpaceMobile and Vodafone Forge Long-Term Partnership to Expand Global Cellular Broadband
New Mid-Band Spectrum
According to the company, once finalised, this spectrum access will enhance AST SpaceMobile's planned space-based network, which is based on the largest communications arrays ever deployed in low Earth orbit. The company already plans to use low-band spectrum for superior coverage and penetration, and this new mid-band spectrum will complement those plans.
The new access will allow for nationwide connectivity, enabling peak data speeds of up to 120 Mbps. AST SpaceMobile aims to offer a true broadband experience directly from space to everyday smartphones.
"Adding premium lower mid-band spectrum access in the United States to the AST SpaceMobile network gives us long-term access to a large block of a scarce resource, significantly enhancing our planned space-based cellular broadband offering," said the Chairman and CEO of AST SpaceMobile.
"Alongside the previously announced 850 MHz nationwide network plans, access to the largest available block of high-quality nationwide spectrum will position us to deliver on our goal of peak data transmission speeds up to 120 Mbps, together with our mobile network operator partners, to enable a true broadband experience directly from space to everyday smartphones," he added.
Also Read: AST SpaceMobile Achieves Download Speeds Above 10 Mbps During Testing in Hawaii
Long-Term Spectrum Rights
In addition, AST SpaceMobile will gain long-term spectrum usage rights for over 80 years to up to 40 MHz of L-Band MSS spectrum in the United States and Canada, plus access to an additional 5 MHz in the 1670-1675 MHz Band in the United States. This agreement is part of Ligado's ongoing restructuring and is expected to close in 2025, pending regulatory approval.
Data Speeds with BlueBird Satellites
In September 2024, AST SpaceMobile launched its first five commercial BlueBird satellites into low Earth orbit, each being the largest-ever commercial communications arrays deployed into low Earth orbit, with a size of approximately 700 square feet, according to the official release.
According to the company, these initial satellites will offer non-continuous cellular broadband service across the United States and in select markets globally. They will target approximately 100 percent nationwide coverage from space with over 5,600 coverage cells in the United States.
The next-generation Block 2 BlueBird satellites, featuring up to 2,400 square-foot communications arrays, are designed to deliver up to 10 times the bandwidth capacity of the BlueBird satellites currently in orbit. These will enable peak data transmission speeds of up to 120 Mbps, supporting voice, full data, and video applications, along with other native cellular capabilities.
Also Read: Verizon and AST SpaceMobile Partner to Eliminate Cellular Dead Zones in US
Strategic Partnerships and Financing
Additionally, during 2024, AST SpaceMobile secured substantial financing and formed partnerships with major players such as AT&T, Verizon, Google, and Vodafone. The company also has agreements with over 45 global mobile network operators, covering nearly 2.8 billion subscribers.
