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AST SpaceMobile

LEO Upcoming

Satellite broadband direct to your phone

Max Speed

120 Mbps

Latency

20–40ms

From

TBD

Satellites

6/243

Visit AST SpaceMobile
Data last verified 2026-03-28. Speeds are advertised ranges - actual performance varies by location and congestion. 3 sources cited below.

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

Completed Planned
  1. AST SpaceMobile founded

  2. BlueWalker 3 test satellite launched

  3. First voice call and data session via satellite to unmodified smartphone

  4. First 5 commercial BlueBird satellites launched

  5. Additional BlueBird launches - 7 total in orbit

  6. AT&T beta service launching

Customer Sentiment

No reviews yet

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?
AST SpaceMobile offers download speeds ranging from 10 to 120 Mbps, with upload speeds of 2 to 10 Mbps. As a LEO satellite provider, latency is typically 20 to 40ms. Actual speeds depend on your location, time of day, and network congestion.
How much does AST SpaceMobile cost per month?
AST SpaceMobile does not currently offer public consumer pricing. Service is available through enterprise contracts or authorized partners.
What latency does AST SpaceMobile have?
AST SpaceMobile has a latency range of 20 to 40ms. As a LEO (Low Earth Orbit) provider, it delivers low latency suitable for video calls, gaming, and real-time applications.
Is AST SpaceMobile available in my country?
AST SpaceMobile is not yet commercially available. 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.
Does AST SpaceMobile require professional installation?
No, AST SpaceMobile does not require professional installation. The satellite terminal is designed for self-installation. The equipment is also portable, so you can move it between locations. Equipment costs nothing upfront.

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. [1] AST SpaceMobile official website - accessed 2026-03-24
  2. [2] AST SpaceMobile SEC filings - partnership agreements and technical milestones - accessed 2026-03-24
  3. [3] FCC spectrum coordination filings for direct-to-device service - accessed 2026-03-24