AST SpaceMobile Preparing to Deploy 60 Satellites for Broadband Internet Service by 2026.

AST SpaceMobile Inc., a rival to Elon Musk's Starlink, plans to deploy over 45-60 satellites into orbit by 2026 to provide broadband internet service. The company has a fully-funded plan for its deployment targets and aims to launch satellites every one to two months in 2025 and 2026. SpaceX, on the other hand, could miss out on the Golden Dome missile defense system, and Musk has slammed Trump over NASA contracts.

AST SpaceMobile Inc. (ASTS), a competitor to Elon Musk's Starlink, has announced an ambitious plan to deploy over 45-60 satellites by 2026 to provide broadband internet service. The company aims to launch satellites every one to two months in 2025 and 2026, targeting markets across the U.S., Europe, Japan, and other strategic regions, including government contracts [3].

The company's plan reflects its ambition to serve smartphones directly with space-based broadband, backed by existing satellite launches and expectations for substantial revenue growth in the second half of 2025. Despite a soft second quarter (Q2) 2025, with a $0.41 per-share loss on $1.16 million in revenue, AST SpaceMobile reported a 29% year-over-year increase in revenue and expects $50 million to $75 million in revenue in the second half of 2025 [3].

AST SpaceMobile's move comes amidst SpaceX's potential loss in the Golden Dome missile defense system, as the Pentagon showcased details to over 3,000 defense contractors but did not mention Musk's company [2]. Musk has also slammed Trump over SpaceX's NASA contracts, stating that moving the contracts to other companies could be risky for astronauts [2].

While AST SpaceMobile's satellite deployment plan is ambitious, it faces several challenges. The company's current capital raising activity and rising losses introduce uncertainty, and questions about commercial success and future cash needs remain critical for investors. Despite retreating, AST SpaceMobile's shares might still be trading above their fair value and there could be some more downside [1].

Exploring other perspectives, the Simply Wall St Community contributed 47 fair value estimates for AST SpaceMobile, spanning a US$0.07 to US$199.94 range, reflecting diverse investor views [1]. However, the company's current capital raising activity and rising losses introduce uncertainty that goes beyond typical valuation debates.

In conclusion, AST SpaceMobile's ambitious satellite deployment plan positions it as a key player in the space-based broadband market. However, the company's success will depend on its ability to scale the network, sign customers, and manage cash burn effectively.

References:
[1] https://simplywall.st/stocks/us/telecom/nasdaq-asts/ast-spacemobile/news/how-ast-spacemobiles-ambitious-satellite-deployment-and-2025
[2] https://www.benzinga.com/markets/tech/25/08/47084870/elon-musks-starlink-rival-ast-spacemobile-preparing-to-deploy-over-60-satellites-into-orbit-by-2026-for-broadband-internet-service
[3] https://www.tradingview.com/news/gurufocus:07d802ae6094b:0-ast-spacemobile-stock-jumps-on-massive-satellite-launch-ambition/