Overview

• The agreement integrates Verizon’s 850 MHz spectrum with AST’s satellite network to extend coverage across the continental U.S., with financial terms not disclosed.
• Service for Verizon customers is planned to begin in 2026 after tests demonstrated direct voice, video and two-way messaging between standard smartphones and BlueBird satellites.
• AST currently has five BlueBird satellites in orbit and targets 45–60 by 2026, with BlueBird‑6 shipping to India on October 12 and BlueBird‑7 heading to Cape Canaveral this month.
• AST shares jumped more than 8% on the news and are up roughly 250% this year, underscoring investor enthusiasm alongside notable volatility.
• Competition is intensifying as SpaceX’s Starlink rolls out direct-to-cell with T‑Mobile and agreed to buy $17 billion in spectrum from EchoStar to increase throughput.