In another first-ever milestone, the
BlueWalker 3 low Earth orbit satellite communicated with everyday
smartphones reaching initial download speeds above 10 Mbps during
Hawaii testing
AST SpaceMobile (NASDAQ: ASTS), the company building the first
and only space-based cellular broadband network accessible directly
by standard mobile phones, announced it has achieved repeated
successful download speeds above 10 Mbps during testing of
BlueWalker 3. Space-based cellular communications at 4G speeds
using unmodified smartphones is another world first
telecommunications achievement by AST SpaceMobile.
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Engineers conducted download speed tests in Hawaii during June
using multiple everyday, off-the-shelf smartphones. The 4G LTE
download speed testing, which used AT&T spectrum and Nokia RAN
technology, reached initial speeds up to 10.3 Mbps, with further
testing of voice calls to AT&T employees. Evaluation of
BlueWalker 3’s capabilities continues, with enablement of 5G
cellular broadband as the next major test activity.
“AST SpaceMobile’s space-based cellular capabilities are
designed to be a critical extension for cellular communications. In
addition to supporting basic voice and text that we expect from
phones, it would also enable users to browse the internet, download
files, use messaging apps or stream video,” said Abel Avellan,
Chairman and CEO of AST SpaceMobile. “Achieving this milestone from
an unmodified, standard cell phone on the ground connecting through
our low Earth orbit satellite is another groundbreaking moment in
telecommunications history and an important step toward AST
SpaceMobile’s goal of bringing broadband services to parts of the
world where cellular coverage is either unreliable or simply does
not exist today.”
Chris Sambar, Head of AT&T Network, said: “Successfully
reaching double-digit download speeds during
satellite-to-smartphone testing takes us one step closer to
ensuring people across the United States will be able to stay
connected no matter their location. This milestone wouldn’t be
possible without the overall focus and determination of the teams
working daily to achieve our shared space-based vision of
connectivity.”
Alberto Ripepi, Chief Network Officer at Vodafone, said: “Each
mobile milestone in Vodafone’s history has moved us closer to
connectivity for all. Achieving these mobile speeds, via satellite
direct to standard 4G smartphones, shrinks the digital divide even
further. Together with Vodacom and AST SpaceMobile, we look forward
to bringing this capability to our customers in the hardest to
reach areas of Africa and Europe.”
Tommi Uitto, President of Mobile Networks at Nokia, said: “This
is an important milestone that will see real mobile broadband
connectivity delivered directly to smartphones from space via AST
SpaceMobile’s platform. As the RAN provider, we are proud to play a
role in this important initiative that will provide crucial
connectivity around the world.”
Today’s news follows other recent world’s first announcements
from AST SpaceMobile as the company readies its technology for
commercialization. On April 25, AST SpaceMobile announced it had
completed the first-ever space-based voice calls using everyday
unmodified smartphones. Paving the way for these achievements was
the successful deployment of BlueWalker 3, which is the
largest-ever commercial communications array deployed in low-Earth
orbit and designed to communicate directly with cellular devices
via 3GPP standard frequencies at 5G speeds. In its now unfolded
position, the satellite spans 693 square feet in size, a design
feature critical to support a space-based cellular broadband
network.
AST SpaceMobile technology is designed to expand coverage for
wireless companies, filling in gaps and dead zones in their
networks. This could help bring cellular broadband services to
hundreds of millions of people across the globe who still lack
access to reliable cellular service. The company has agreements and
understandings with more than 35 mobile network operators globally
that have approximately 2 billion existing subscribers, including
Vodafone Group, Rakuten Mobile, AT&T, Bell Canada, Orange,
Telefonica, TIM, Saudi Telecom Company, Zain KSA, Etisalat, Indosat
Ooredoo Hutchison, Smart Communications, Globe Telecom, Millicom,
Smartfren, Telecom Argentina, Telstra, Africell, Liberty Latin
America and others. Vodafone, Rakuten, American Tower, Samsung NEXT
and Bell Canada are also investors in AST SpaceMobile.
About AST SpaceMobile
AST SpaceMobile, Inc. is building the first and only global
cellular broadband network in space to operate directly with
standard, unmodified mobile devices based on our extensive IP and
patent portfolio. Our engineers and space scientists are on a
mission to eliminate the connectivity gaps faced by today's five
billion mobile subscribers and finally bring broadband to the
billions who remain unconnected. For more information, follow AST
SpaceMobile on YouTube, Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook. Watch this
video for an overview of the SpaceMobile mission.
Forward-Looking Statements
This communication contains “forward-looking statements” that
are not historical facts, and involve risks and uncertainties that
could cause actual results of AST SpaceMobile to differ materially
from those expected and projected. These forward-looking statements
can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology,
including the words “believes,” “estimates,” “anticipates,”
“expects,” “intends,” “plans,” “may,” “will,” “would,” “potential,”
“projects,” “predicts,” “continue,” or “should,” or, in each case,
their negative or other variations or comparable terminology.
These forward-looking statements involve significant risks and
uncertainties that could cause the actual results to differ
materially from the expected results. Most of these factors are
outside AST SpaceMobile’s control and are difficult to predict.
Factors that may cause such differences include, but are not
limited to: (i) expectations regarding AST SpaceMobile’s strategies
and future financial performance, including AST’s future business
plans or objectives, expected functionality of the SpaceMobile
Service, anticipated timing and results of the BW3 test satellite
tests, anticipated timing and level of deployment of satellites,
anticipated demand and acceptance of mobile satellite services,
prospective performance and commercial opportunities and
competitors, the timing of obtaining regulatory approvals, ability
to finance its research and development activities, commercial
partnership acquisition and retention, products and services,
pricing, marketing plans, operating expenses, market trends,
revenues, liquidity, cash flows and uses of cash, capital
expenditures, and AST’s ability to invest in growth initiatives;
(ii) the negotiation of definitive agreements with mobile network
operators relating to the SpaceMobile service that would supersede
preliminary agreements and memoranda of understanding; (iii) the
ability of AST SpaceMobile to grow and manage growth profitably and
retain its key employees and AST SpaceMobile’s responses to actions
of its competitors and its ability to effectively compete; (iv)
changes in applicable laws or regulations; (v) the possibility that
AST SpaceMobile may be adversely affected by other economic,
business, and/or competitive factors; (vi) the outcome of any legal
proceedings that may be instituted against AST SpaceMobile; and
(vii) other risks and uncertainties indicated in the Company’s
filings with the SEC, including those in the Risk Factors section
of AST SpaceMobile’s Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 31,
2023.
The ongoing testing of the BW3 satellite may not be completed
due to a variety of factors, which could include loss of satellite
connectivity, destruction of the satellite, or other communication
failures, and even if completed, the BW3 testing may indicate
adjustments that are needed or modifications that must be made, any
of which could result in additional costs, which could be material,
and delays in commercializing our service. If there are delays or
issues with additional testing, it may become more costly to raise
capital, if we are able to do so at all.
AST SpaceMobile cautions that the foregoing list of factors is
not exclusive. AST SpaceMobile cautions readers not to place undue
reliance upon any forward-looking statements, which speak only as
of the date made. For information identifying important factors
that could cause actual results to differ materially from those
anticipated in the forward-looking statements, please refer to the
Risk Factors incorporated by reference into AST SpaceMobile’s Form
10-K filed with the SEC on March 31, 2023. AST SpaceMobile’s
securities filings can be accessed on the EDGAR section of the
SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. Except as expressly required by
applicable securities law, AST SpaceMobile disclaims any intention
or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements
whether as a result of new information, future events or
otherwise.
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version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230621154227/en/
Investor Contact:
Scott Wisniewski investors@ast-science.com
Media Contact:
Allison+Partners Eva Murphy Ryan 917-547-7289
AstSpaceMobile@allisonpr.com
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