AST SpaceMobile has partnered with Verizon to expand space-based cellular broadband in the U.S., leveraging Verizon’s 850 MHz spectrum. This follows a $100 million commitment from Verizon last year. AST aims to deploy more BlueBird satellites, with 5 currently in orbit and plans for 45-60 by 2026.

SpaceX’s Starlink is entering the direct-to-cell market with T-Mobile, while AST has demonstrated 4G and 5G connections. The partnership with Verizon highlights the rapid evolution of satellite-to-cell technology, with AST’s shares rising by over 15% post-announcement. The challenge lies in scaling this technology to serve a wider user base.

Read more at Yahoo Finance: AST SpaceMobile lands key Verizon deal amid growing competition with SpaceX and T-Mobile