Collaboration among Europe’s four largest mobile network operators expected to accelerate network integration, expand coverage and improve connectivity for the citizens of Europe

Dedicated European-operated ground infrastructure and BlueBird satellite capabilities support service readiness across more than 500 million mobile subscribers

AST SpaceMobile, Inc., the company building the first and only space-based cellular broadband network accessible directly by everyday smartphones, designed for both commercial and government applications, welcomes the Letter of Intent signed by its mobile network operator partners Deutsche Telekom, Orange, Telefónica and Vodafone to explore a potential joint bid for Mobile Satellite Services (MSS) spectrum as AST SpaceMobile continues to advance service readiness across Europe.

The collaboration among Europe’s four largest mobile network operators is expected to accelerate network integration, improve the customer experience and extend coverage into areas without reliable mobile connectivity. The initiative supports a coordinated approach to spectrum access and service deployment, strengthening European digital data sovereignty while enabling operators to deliver space-based cellular broadband through their existing mobile services.

“Europe’s mobile network operators are taking an important step toward extending connectivity to every subscriber, wherever they live, work and travel,” said Wayne Thorsen, Chief Commercial Officer of AST SpaceMobile. “Our role is to support our partners with the satellite technology, spectrum capabilities and ground infrastructure needed to deliver cellular broadband directly to the phones people already use. Together, we are building a third layer of connectivity that expands coverage and strengthens the resilience of Europe’s mobile networks.”

AST SpaceMobile’s existing European joint venture, Satellite Connect Europe, AST SpaceMobile is providing a dedicated network of European-operated ground infrastructure that link its BlueBird satellites with mobile operators’ core networks. This infrastructure is designed to support coverage across Europe, a market with over 500 million mobile subscribers, while keeping data handling and service control within European jurisdiction. Operators retain their customer relationships as satellite connectivity extends the reach of their terrestrial networks.

AST SpaceMobile’s BlueBird satellites feature the largest communication satellites ever deployed in low Earth orbit and connect directly to standard, unmodified smartphones, backed by 3,900 patent and patent pending claims. The company has demonstrated peak download speeds of 98.9 Mbps, with next-generation satellites expected to deliver peak data rates approaching 200 Mbps. These capabilities are designed to support voice, video and broadband services for consumers, businesses, first responders and governments.

The Company’s satellite technology can tune across approximately 1,150 MHz of mobile network operator partners’ low- and mid-band spectrum globally. Together with AST SpaceMobile’s S-band priority rights, this flexibility enables the Company to combine participating operators’ spectrum with satellite spectrum to support expanded coverage and capacity in European markets, subject to applicable authorizations.