AST SpaceMobile, Inc. (“AST SpaceMobile”) (NASDAQ: ASTS), the
company building the first and only space-based cellular broadband
network accessible directly by everyday smartphones designed for
both commercial and government use, proudly announces the
commencement of the tape-out phase for its Application-Specific
Integrated Circuit (ASIC), in collaboration with TSMC, the world's
leading foundry.
This press release features multimedia. View
the full release here:
https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240327367837/en/
AST SpaceMobile Asics rendering (Photo:
Business Wire)
As the cornerstone of AST SpaceMobile's BlueBird Block 2
program, the AST5000 ASIC is a novel, custom and low-power
architecture developed to enable up to a tenfold improvement in
processing bandwidth on each satellite, unlocking opportunities for
seamless space-based cellular broadband services worldwide. This
significant milestone marks the culmination of over four years of
dedicated research, development, and engineering expertise,
equivalent to an estimated 150 man-years of intensive work, as well
as approximately $45 million of development.
"The commencement of the tape-out process for our ASIC, in
collaboration with TSMC and other leaders in the semiconductor
industry, is a testament to the unwavering commitment of our
talented team," said Abel Avellan, Chairman and CEO of AST
SpaceMobile. “As we advance towards the orbital launch of our Block
1 BlueBird satellites in the upcoming months, we are simultaneously
making steady progress on the technology underlying our Block 2
satellites. This achievement underscores our relentless pursuit of
innovation to address the growing demand for global connectivity,
With the ASIC at the heart of our Block 2 program, we are a big
step closer to ushering in a new era of satellite communications,
helping to empower people with reliable connectivity, regardless of
their location.”
AST SpaceMobile has achieved 3 Bits/Hertz using BlueWalker 3 and
has planned capacity of up to 40 MHz per beam on its commercial
satellites, which is planned to support 120 Mbps peak data rates.
With our planned ASICs and 2,400 sq ft BlueBird satellite size, we
expect to support up to 10,000 MHz of processing bandwidth per
satellite in the future to enable the first and only space-based
cellular broadband network.
AST SpaceMobile has more than 3,100 patent and patent-pending
claims for its technology and operates state-of-the-art, vertically
integrated manufacturing and testing facilities in Midland, Texas,
which collectively span 185,000 square feet. The company recently
secured strategic investment from AT&T, Google and Vodafone, as
well as a new contract award with the United States Government
through a prime contractor. The company has agreements and
understandings with more than 40 mobile network operators globally,
which have over two billion existing subscribers total, including
Vodafone Group, Rakuten Mobile, AT&T, Bell Canada, Orange,
Telefonica, TIM, Saudi Telecom Company, MTN, Zain KSA, Etisalat,
Indosat Ooredoo Hutchison, Telkomsel, Smart Communications, Globe
Telecom, Millicom, Smartfren, Telecom Argentina, Telstra, Africell,
Liberty Latin America and others. Rakuten, American Tower and Bell
Canada are also existing investors in AST SpaceMobile.
About AST SpaceMobile
AST SpaceMobile 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, for both commercial and government use. 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, X (Formerly
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 of the launch of the Block 1 Bluebird
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 and the
ability to enter into commercial agreements with other parties or
government entities; (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.
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.
View source
version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240327367837/en/
Investor Contact: Scott Wisniewski
investors@ast-science.com
Media Contact: Allison Eva Murphy Ryan 917-547-7289
AstSpaceMobile@allisonpr.com
Grafico Azioni AST SpaceMobile (NASDAQ:ASTS)
Storico
Da Feb 2025 a Mar 2025
Grafico Azioni AST SpaceMobile (NASDAQ:ASTS)
Storico
Da Mar 2024 a Mar 2025
