- AST SpaceMobile plans five satellite launches between July 2025 and early 2026.
- The company aims to begin beta services for AT&T and Verizon in the United States before the end of 2025.
What happened: AST SpaceMobile announces 5 satellite launches to support direct-to-smartphone network
AST SpaceMobile is ramping up its satellite deployment schedule to support its direct-to-smartphone broadband network. The company has announced plans for five satellite launches over the next six to nine months, starting in July 2025. These launches are part of AST SpaceMobile’s strategy to expand its constellation of BlueBird satellites, which are designed to provide cellular broadband services directly to smartphones without the need for additional hardware.
The upcoming launches will utilize various launch vehicles, including SpaceX’s Falcon 9, Blue Origin’s New Glenn, and India’s GSLV rockets. The first of these launches is scheduled for July 2025, with subsequent launches planned throughout the remainder of the year and into early 2026.
AST SpaceMobile’s CEO, Abel Avellan, emphasized the company’s commitment to accelerating its deployment efforts. “We have ramped up manufacturing capacity and are now able to announce our plans to support five scheduled orbital launches over the next six to nine months,” Avellan stated.
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Why It’s Important
AST SpaceMobile’s accelerated launch schedule aims to meet the growing demand for reliable mobile connectivity, especially in underserved and remote areas. The company plans to deploy satellites that provide direct broadband services to standard smartphones. This will help bridge connectivity gaps and offer seamless global communication.
The planned beta services for AT&T and Verizon by the end of 2025 are a key milestone in AST SpaceMobile’s roadmap. If successful, the satellite network’s deployment and operation could establish the company as a major player in satellite-based mobile communications.
