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FCC authorizes AST SpaceMobile’s 248-satellite direct-to-device constellation in the US, setting deployment deadlines amid recen

The FCC has granted AST SpaceMobile commercial authorization for a full 248-satellite non-geostationary orbit constellation, enabling direct-to-smartphone/direct-to-device broadband services using spectrum from its mobile-network-operator (MNO) partners. The approval includes satellite deployment deadlines and requirements for orbital-debris mitigation, collision avoidance, and interference prevention as the company seeks to accelerate ramp-up after a botched launch.

Discovered 2026-04-21T11:58:43.060192-07:00 | 2026-04-21T11:58:43.060192-07:00

Briefing

What Hype is tracking

  • The FCC’s approval materially advances AST SpaceMobile from authorization steps toward nationwide commercial service delivery using direct-to-device broadband on MNO partner spectrum.
  • The order’s explicit requirements for debris mitigation, collision avoidance, and interference prevention raise the compliance bar for large-scale LEO D2D deployments—an operational gating item as satellite counts climb.
  • This follows earlier FCC and partnership momentum around non-terrestrial connectivity: see Orange expanding direct-to-device partnerships with AST and the FCC’s attention to cross-border market access rules for satellite operators (FCC comment period on international market access).

Reported By

exterrajsc.com keeptrack.space Satellite Evolution satelliteprome.com actualidadaeroespacial.com SpaceNews.com
Sources Tracked
13
First Seen
2026-04-21T11:58:43.060192-07:00
Latest Update
2026-04-29T05:14:08.078611-07:00
Coverage
Space

Sources

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