FCC approves commercial LEOs launch

The US Federal Communications Commission has granted an initial license for the launch of commercial low Earth orbit satellites by AST SpaceMobile. The company describes itself as “building the first and only space-based cellular broadband network accessible directly by everyday smartphones, designed for both commercial and government applications.”

Photo credit: Adobe Stock/Jose Luis Stephens

Discussing the move, a spokesperson for the company said: “With this initial license, AST SpaceMobile is now authorised to launch and operate V, S and UHF frequencies. [This is to] support gateway, feeder link and telemetry, tracking, and control operations for the first five commercial BlueBird satellites.

“This FCC grant represents a critical step to advancing several important goals shared by AST SpaceMobile and the commission. These include closing the digital divide, expanding access to emergency communications, accelerating digital transformation and advancing US leadership in direct-to-device regulation.”

According to AST SpaceMobile, the decision follows-on from its March 2024 update of constellation filings with the International Telecommunication Union.