FCC Grants AST SpaceMobile’s Direct-to-Cell Request
The satellite company can offer service with AT&T and Verizon spectrum, and operate up to 248 satellites.
WASHINGTON, April 22, 2026 – Federal regulators granted satellite company AST SpaceMobile’s request to provide direct-to-cell mobile service using AT&T and Verizon’s spectrum.
The agency also cleared the company to operate a 248-satellite constellation in support of the service, up from the 25 it was previously allowed. It was welcome news for the satellite operator after the failed launch of what would have been its operational BlueBird satellite over the weekend.
SpaceX currently dominates the global direct-to-cell market and has plans for a higher speed service, but AST is looking to compete on that front. So is Amazon, which just announced a deal to purchase Globalstar for more than $11 billion in a bid to shore up its direct-to-cell capabilities.
