Midland, Texas: In a move set to reshape America’s connectivity landscape, AST SpaceMobile and Verizon have reached a definitive commercial agreement that will enable direct-to-cellular satellite service for Verizon customers starting in 2026. The deal, announced on Monday by AST SpaceMobile, will harness space-based broadband to reach people in locations historically plagued by coverage gaps—from rugged hiking trails to busy city streets—by connecting regular smartphones directly to satellites in low Earth orbit.
AST SpaceMobile is developing what it describes as the world’s first space-based cellular broadband network capable of linking with everyday, unmodified smartphones. Unlike earlier satellite services, which required specialized satellite phones or devices, the new system is designed to integrate seamlessly with standard mobile phones, benefiting both commercial and government users. “We are working to deliver space-based cellular broadband coverage from space across the continental United States,” said Abel Avellan, CEO and Chairman of AST SpaceMobile. The company claims its technology will extend Verizon’s coverage into areas previously unreachable by terrestrial cellular networks, leveraging the operator’s premium 850 MHz low-band spectrum alongside AST SpaceMobile’s own licensed frequencies.
By deploying massive commercial antenna arrays in low Earth orbit, AST SpaceMobile aims to bridge the digital divide for millions. The company’s network will utilize a blend of low-band, L-band, S-band, and up to 1,150 MHz of global partner spectrum. This broad reach is pivotal to closing the coverage gap for the estimated billions still lacking consistent access to cellular broadband services worldwide.
The agreement comes on the heels of significant technology demonstrations conducted by AST SpaceMobile and Verizon over the past year. In recent trials, engineers successfully completed clear voice and video calls, plus two-way RCS (Rich Communication Services) messaging, between standard smartphones connected directly to AST SpaceMobile’s BlueBird satellite. A notable milestone was a Voice over LTE (VoLTE) call placed from Texas to New Jersey on Verizon’s network, facilitated entirely via satellite without special equipment or modifications. These achievements showcase the potential of hybrid terrestrial-satellite connectivity to create seamless, borderless communications.
Srini Kalapala, Senior Vice President of Technology and Product Development at Verizon, emphasized the strategic significance: “By integrating our expansive, reliable, robust terrestrial network with this innovative space-based technology, we are paving the way for a future where everything and everyone can be connected, regardless of geography.” Verizon’s ambition is to create “a new paradigm of connectivity that will unlock the full potential of the digital age.”
The deal positions Verizon at the forefront of satellite-cellular integration in the U.S., with AST SpaceMobile as a key technology enabler. As satellite broadband moves from experimental to commercial reality, the partnership is expected to expand the reach of Verizon’s award-winning network, particularly in rural, remote, and disaster-prone regions where terrestrial infrastructure is challenging or costly to deploy.
AST SpaceMobile, publicly traded as ASTS on the NASDAQ, has mobilized a team of engineers and space scientists with a singular mission: to eliminate connectivity blackouts and deliver broadband to underserved areas globally. The network’s open architecture is designed to work in harmony with leading carriers’ spectrum holdings and promises widespread commercial benefits for both consumers and the broader telecommunications industry.
