AST SpaceMobile
LEO UpcomingSatellite broadband direct to your phone
Max Speed
120 Mbps
Latency
20–40ms
From
TBD
Satellites
6/243
About AST SpaceMobile
"Eliminate connectivity dead zones globally by providing broadband service direct to standard mobile phones from space."
AST SpaceMobile, founded in 2017, is developing something no one has achieved at scale: satellite broadband direct to standard, unmodified smartphones. Instead of requiring customers to buy a satellite dish, AST's BlueBird satellites use massive antenna arrays (~2,400 square feet each) to communicate directly with regular cell phones on existing cellular frequencies.
The company launched BlueWalker 3, a test satellite, in September 2022 and successfully completed voice calls, video calls, and data sessions to unmodified smartphones. In September 2024, the first five commercial BlueBird satellites launched, followed by two more, bringing the total to seven in orbit by early 2026.
AST SpaceMobile has secured partnerships with major carriers including AT&T (US), Vodafone (Europe/Africa), and Rakuten (Japan). Beta service through AT&T is launching in H1 2026. If successful at scale, this technology could eliminate cellular dead zones worldwide - a genuinely transformative prospect for the estimated 600 million people who live within range of a cell tower but in coverage gaps.
Specifications
- Download Speed
- 10–120 Mbps
- Upload Speed
- 2–10 Mbps
- Latency
- 20–40ms
- Data Cap
- Unlimited (plan-dependent)
- Orbit Type
- LEO
- Constellation
- 6 in orbit / 243 planned
- Parent Company
- AST SpaceMobile Inc.
- Subscribers
- Not disclosed
For context: Netflix 4K needs ~25 Mbps, video calls need ~5 Mbps. Latency under 100ms is good for gaming; under 300ms works for video calls. GEO satellites (600ms+) have noticeable delay on interactive tasks.
Hardware & Installation
- Equipment Cost
- Free
- Note
- No equipment - uses existing smartphones
- Installation Required
- Self-install
- Portable
- Yes
Timeline
-
AST SpaceMobile founded
-
BlueWalker 3 test satellite launched
-
First voice call and data session via satellite to unmodified smartphone
-
First 5 commercial BlueBird satellites launched
-
Additional BlueBird launches - 7 total in orbit
-
AT&T beta service launching
Customer Sentiment
AST SpaceMobile has no consumer reviews as the service is not yet publicly available. Early technical demonstrations have generated excitement in the industry and among investors. The AT&T beta in H1 2026 will be the first opportunity for public user feedback.
Sentiment verified 2026-03-24. Reviews change - check the platform for latest.
Availability
6 BlueBird satellites in orbit (BB1-BB6). AT&T commercial service targeting H1 2026 for intermittent nationwide coverage; continuous coverage requires 45-60 sats (targeted end of 2026). TELUS Canada equity partnership (March 2026). Defense contracts: SHIELD IDIQ + SDA $30M award. $3.9B liquidity; $150-200M 2026 revenue guidance.
Pros & Cons
Advantages
- + No dish or special equipment - works with existing phones
- + Partnerships with AT&T, Vodafone, Rakuten
- + Next-gen BlueBirds support up to 120 Mbps per cell
- + Game-changer for dead zones and emergency connectivity
Limitations
- - Beta service not yet publicly available
- - Only 6 satellites in orbit - coverage is intermittent until 45-60 sats deployed
- - Lower speeds than dish-based services
- - Depends entirely on carrier partnerships for consumer access
Frequently Asked Questions
How fast is AST SpaceMobile satellite internet?
How much does AST SpaceMobile cost per month?
What latency does AST SpaceMobile have?
Is AST SpaceMobile available in my country?
Does AST SpaceMobile require professional installation?
Sources & Methodology
All data on this page is sourced from official company announcements, regulatory filings, and independent speed-test databases. Speeds shown are advertised ranges - actual performance varies by location, time of day, and network congestion. We do not fabricate specifications: where data is unavailable, we show "TBD."
- [1] AST SpaceMobile official website - accessed 2026-03-24
- [2] AST SpaceMobile SEC filings - partnership agreements and technical milestones - accessed 2026-03-24
- [3] FCC spectrum coordination filings for direct-to-device service - accessed 2026-03-24