FCC grants AST SpaceMobile an experimental license to test satellite

AST SpaceMobile has been granted an experimental license from the Federal Communications Commission to conduct US-based testing of its BlueWalker 3 satellite. The company launched its first satellite in March 2019, and it plans to launch its second satellite, BlueWalker 3, summer 2022. AST Space Mobile, based in Midland (TX), plans to build the first space-based cellular broadband network designed to be accessible directly by standard mobile phones. The new experimental license covers BlueWalker 3 space-to-ground testing in the United States using 3GPP low-band cellular frequencies and Q/V-band frequencies, subject to certain restrictions. The company aims to close the digital divide and bring cellular broadband to approximately half of the world's population who remain unconnected. In addition to Rakuten Mobile, AST is also working with Vodafone and American Tower. AST SpaceMobile continues to pursue additional authorizations with the FCC related to its planned constellation of BlueBird satellites.