Direct Satellite Communication via Smartphone Awaits June Launch Following FCC Commercial Approval

AST SpaceMobile, Inc. (NASDAQ: ASTS) announced in its Q1 2026 earnings release and business update that deployment of its BlueBird satellite constellation is progressing as planned, with the launch of BlueBird 8–10 aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket scheduled for mid-June. The company reported achieving a record direct-to-smartphone data transmission speed of 98.9 Mbps on a standard mobile device, and disclosed that the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has granted commercial service authorization for SpaceMobile in the United States using up to 248 satellites.

For full-year 2026, AST SpaceMobile reaffirmed revenue guidance of $150 million to $200 million. In Q1, the company generated $14.7 million in revenue and posted a net loss of $191 million. Backed by approximately $3.5 billion in cash and significant investments in satellites, ground facilities and spectrum, AST SpaceMobile is targeting operation of roughly 45 satellites by mid-2026.

Insider filings show that on May 13, director Julio A. Torres sold about $1.15 million of company stock (roughly ₩15 billion) to fund tax obligations arising from vested restricted stock units (RSUs). On May 6, CFO and CLO Andrew Martin Johnson carried out share‐based transactions to cover withholding taxes on his vested RSUs. Both disclosures were routine measures to secure liquidity for tax payments and are not considered discretionary insider trades.

Recently, AST SpaceMobile secured permanent FCC authorization for its 248-satellite low-Earth orbit (LEO) constellation and direct-to-device service. This approval lays the foundation for nationwide U.S. coverage by leveraging partner carriers’ spectrum—including AT&T, Verizon and the public safety network FirstNet. Beginning with the June Falcon 9 launch of BlueBird 8–10, the company plans multiple launch campaigns to place 45–60 satellites into orbit by year-end, accelerating its path to network commercialization.

AST SpaceMobile is building a satellite-based cellular broadband network that connects standard smartphones directly via LEO satellites using existing mobile frequency bands, eliminating the need for terrestrial base stations. In partnership with major U.S. carriers, the company aims to close coverage gaps in underserved and remote areas. The direct-to-device satellite communications market is heating up as global carriers and satellite operators vie for strategic investments and regulatory approvals to complement 4G and 5G networks. In the U.S., providers are in a race to secure FCC commercial licenses for these next-generation services.