AST SpaceMobile

Verizon and AST SpaceMobile Direct-to-Cell Deal for 2026

Verizon and AST SpaceMobile Direct-to-Cell Deal for 2026
Verizon and AST SpaceMobile have advanced their partnership into a definitive commercial agreement to deliver space-based cellular coverage in the United States starting in 2026. The agreement enables Verizon subscribers to connect “when needed” to AST SpaceMobile’s low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites using standard, unmodified phones. AST says service will focus on coverage gaps across the continental U.S., and will extend Verizon’s premium 850 MHz low-band spectrum into remote areas. AST highlights successful space tests as proof points and positions the network for both commercial and government use.

EchoStar pivots to satellite & NTN growth

EchoStar has reset its strategy after regulator-driven spectrum sales, trading long-cycle infrastructure bets for an asset-light, capital-rich posture focused on satcom growth. Federal Communications Commission scrutiny over spectrum utilization forced EchoStar to accelerate decisions it had hoped to phase over time. Complaints from rivals spurred investigations into whether the company was meeting buildout and use obligations. Even if EchoStar prevailed in court, the process risked tying up key licenses and stalling its direct-to-device (D2D) ambitions. The company opted to monetize holdings and remove uncertainty rather than fight a prolonged, value-destructive battle.

Could Starlink Replace Your Cellphone Carrier with direct-to-device and EcoStar spectrum?

Could Starlink Replace Your Cellphone Carrier with direct-to-device and EcoStar spectrum?
SpaceX’s $17 billion purchase of EchoStar spectrum signals a deliberate push to blend satellite and mobile connectivity at consumer scale. SpaceX is acquiring EchoStar’s AWS-4 and H-Block licenses, adding roughly 1.9–2.0 GHz spectrum into its portfolio for direct-to-device (D2D) service in the U.S. Owning licensed spectrum lets SpaceX widen capabilities beyond roaming-style add-ons, potentially toward a branded service that spans home broadband and handset connectivity. A two-year window for first compatible handsets is a realistic baseline. Analysts broadly expect Starlink to expand via partnerships: wholesale arrangements to MNOs for satellite fallback, and potentially an MVNO to bring a Starlink-branded phone plan to market.

5G NTN Direct-to-Device Demo by Capgemini, Thales & Thales Alenia Space for CNES

5G NTN Direct-to-Device Demo by Capgemini, Thales & Thales Alenia Space for France's space agency CNES
France’s space agency CNES has selected Capgemini, Thales, and Thales Alenia Space to lead a national demonstration of 5G direct-to-device (D2D) satellite connectivity under the France 2030 investment program. The consortium will deliver “U DESERVE 5G,” a government-backed project designed to prove that standard mobile devices and fixed terminals can connect directly to a satellite using 5G non-terrestrial network (NTN) technology. The team will launch a low Earth orbit (LEO) demonstrator satellite equipped with an active antenna payload able to form and steer beams directly to devices. The trial will evaluate interoperability with terrestrial 5G, handover behavior between networks, and user experience under varying coverage conditions

SpaceX buys EchoStar AWS-4/H-Block spectrum for $17B

SpaceX buys EchoStar AWS-4/H-Block spectrum for $17B
SpaceX agreed to acquire EchoStar’s AWS-4 and H-Block spectrum licenses in a transaction valued at up to $17 billion, split between as much as $8.5 billion in cash and up to $8.5 billion in SpaceX equity. As part of the package, SpaceX will also cover approximately $2 billion in cash interest payments on EchoStar debt through November 2027. The parties have also signed a long-term commercial agreement that would allow EchoStar’s Boost Mobile subscribers to access SpaceX’s next-generation Starlink “Direct to Cell” service once live.

Japan’s First Satellite Smartphone Call by Rakuten Mobile

Japan’s First Satellite Smartphone Call by Rakuten Mobile
Rakuten Mobile and AST SpaceMobile completed Japan’s first satellite video call using unmodified smartphones in April 2025. This test marks a major advancement toward Rakuten’s Saikyo Satellite Service, set to launch in 2026, which will expand mobile coverage across remote and disaster-prone regions using AST’s LEO satellite network.

6G Trials, Pixel 9a, Vodafone IoT & RedCap: The Future of 5G on G2 for 5G

The G2 on 5G Podcast – T-Mo and Delta Airlines Google Merges Android Software and Hardware
In Episode 222 of The G2 on 5G, analysts Will Townsend and Anshel Sag cover T-Mobile’s 6G equipment testing, Google’s mid-range Pixel 9a, Vodafone’s 200M IoT milestone, the GSA’s RedCap group, AT&T's satellite trials for FirstNet, and MediaTek’s powerful new chipsets for phones and Chromebooks.

Reaching the Unreachable: How Satellite-Mobile Convergence Is Reshaping Global Connectivity

Reaching the Unreachable: How Satellite-Mobile Convergence Is Reshaping Global Connectivity
Satellite-mobile convergence is rapidly shifting from niche to mainstream, enabling global mobile coverage through Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTN). With direct-to-device (D2D) standards now supported by 3GPP Releases 17–19, traditional mobile phones can connect directly to satellites. This development has unlocked use cases in emergency response, smart agriculture, logistics, and IoT—paving the way for a future where 6G, edge AI, and multi-orbit architectures redefine connectivity. Learn how telecoms, enterprises, and regulators are navigating the path to a fully connected planet.

Dynamic Billing for Satellite and NTN by MATRIXX Software

Dynamic Billing for Satellite and NTN by MATRIXX Software
MATRIXX Software introduces dynamic billing support for satellite and non-terrestrial network (NTN) services, enabling telecom operators to expand coverage, monetize emerging LEO partnerships, and unify revenue management. The platform supports flexible commercial models, powering growth in underserved regions and across consumer, enterprise, and wholesale markets.

Vodafone’s First LEO Satellite Video Call Using a Smartphone

Vodafone’s First LEO Satellite Video Call Using a Smartphone
Vodafone has completed the world's first satellite-based video call using a standard 4G or 5G smartphone—no special hardware required. This milestone, achieved with AST SpaceMobile, demonstrates the power of direct-to-smartphone satellite connectivity. By 2026, Vodafone plans to roll out this service commercially across Europe, bridging mobile coverage gaps in rural and remote regions. Learn how this technology is set to redefine mobile broadband and global communication.

Direct-to-Device (D2D) Satellite Connectivity: Overcoming Spectrum Barriers

Satellite Connectivity in 2025: The New Backbone of Global Telecom
Direct-to-Device (D2D) satellite services are revolutionizing connectivity but face significant spectrum challenges. The Summit Ridge whitepaper explores how leveraging the 2 GHz band, innovative partnerships, and regulatory shifts can unlock the potential of D2D services worldwide.

Apple Invests $1.1 Billion in Satellite Expansion to Enhance iPhone Connectivity

Apple Invests $1.1 Billion in Satellite Expansion to Enhance iPhone Connectivity
Apple is set to invest $1.1 billion in expanding satellite connectivity for iPhones through Globalstar, aiming to develop a new satellite constellation that enhances emergency services and connects users in remote locations. This expansion, including new satellites and infrastructure, highlights Apple’s commitment to uninterrupted mobile services, even in cellular dead zones.
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