Verizon has signed a deal to provide cellular service from space through AST SpaceMobile beginning next year.<\/p>\n
Shares of AST SpaceMobile, a space-based cellular broadband network, soared more than 10% before the market opened Wednesday.<\/p>\n
SpaceMobile\u2019s network is designed to operate across premium low-band spectrum, its own licensed L-band and S-band spectrum, and up to 1,150 MHz of mobile network operator partners\u2019 low- and mid-band spectrum worldwide, the company said. <\/p>\n
\u201cThe agreement will extend the scope of Verizon\u2019s 850 MHz premium low-band spectrum into areas of the U.S. that would benefit from the ubiquitous reach of space-based broadband technology,\u201d Abel Avellan, founder, chairman and CEO of AST SpaceMobile, said in a statement.<\/p>\n
Financial terms of the agreement, which expands on a strategic partnership announced in early 2024, were not disclosed. <\/p>\n
\u201cBy 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,\u201d Srini Kalapala, Verizon\u2019s senior vice president of technology and product development, said in a statement.<\/p>\n