AST SpaceMobile is testing the integration of its satellite-based network across European countries with operators like Orange, Vodafone, Telefónica, and Deutsche Telekom, work that has begun following the successful launch of its BlueBird 11, 12, and 13 low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellites.

“Working alongside many of the world’s leading mobile network operators, we are advancing activities across multiple countries to become a seamless complementary layer of connectivity alongside existing terrestrial networks,” AST Chief Commercial Officer Chris Ivory explained. “Together, we are building a future where everyday smartphones remain connected in more places, providing a layer of resilient connectivity for consumers, businesses, first responders, and governments.”

Texas-based AST’s integration efforts are subject to regulatory approvals, but are presently advancing across territories including the United Kingdom, Ireland, Romania, France, the Czech Republic, Germany, Spain, and Ukraine in collaboration with Europe’s leading mobile network operators. The work is supported by Luxembourg-based Satellite Connect Europe, a joint venture between AST and Vodafone that seeks European-wide ground infrastructure and direct-to-device (D2D) capability from orbit.

AST's BlueBird satellites are expected to support peak data rates of up to 200 Mb/s. Its BlueBirds 14, 15, and 16 are now preparing for their own launch, with satellite production advancing through to BlueBird 42. These newer satellites are more than triple the size of AST’s five first BlueBird satellites, with their 2,400-square feet phased-array antennas designed to improve coverage, capacity, and reliability as compared to the initial units.

Global D2D market

AST works with more than 60 mobile network operators globally, with those operators combined serving more than 3 billion subscribers. That's in contrast to recent comments from satellite-based communications market heavyweight SpaceX.

SpaceX COO Gwynne Shotwell recently teased ambitious plans for its 10,000-strong Starlink constellation to circumvent established telecom players like AT&T, T-Mobile US, and Verizon.

“I anticipate us to be able to acquire quite a few of their customers because I think our service will be better,” Shotwell said during SpaceX's latest earnings call.

Amazon's Leo has also touted similarly ambitious market plans that were recently bolstered by its $11.57 billion purchase of Globalstar in April.