Patient Investor
Real Estate Developer, Public & Private Equity Investor Since 2016
AT&T, T-Mobile and Verizon endorsing satellite direct-to-device as real infrastructure validates and grows the market for AST SpaceMobile and Starlink. The three carriers agreed in principle to form a joint venture to eliminate US wireless dead zones by pooling spectrum and using direct-to-device satellites to fill the gaps. It is still only an agreement in principle, with regulatory questions ahead, but the theme is bullish. x.com
AST SpaceMobile's direct-to-phone satellite network makes it an extremely bullish long-term space-economy bet. Partnerships with more than 60 mobile operators representing over 3 billion potential subscribers and about $1.3 billion in contracted revenue backlog support the case. It targets initial, intermittent broadband coverage in five countries before end-2026; its market cap is roughly half Rocket Lab's, though both face significant execution risks. x.com
Europe's push for satellite independence as Starlink expands could make AST SpaceMobile one of its most attractive alternatives and a major beneficiary. Deutsche Telekom, Orange, Telefónica and Vodafone, all AST partners, signed a letter of intent to explore a joint spectrum bid; AST cites over 500 million European subscribers. No spectrum purchase or exclusive AST contract is secured; regulatory approval, commercial agreements, deployment and cash flow must follow. x.com x.com
AST SpaceMobile's D2D prospects weaken as telcos look to Amazon and Ligado may give up spectrum. Telcos see Amazon as their most realistic potential savior, though their JV seems poised to sign MOUs with both. People consulted expect Amazon to buy Viasat mainly for international spectrum; US capacity and timing remain uncertain. AST's payments do not cover Ligado's Viasat dues, so Ligado may settle with the US for auction credits and surrender spectrum rights, leaving AST stranded. x.com
SpaceX's push to become a major mobile carrier makes a carrier-backed direct-to-cell oligopoly around AST SpaceMobile increasingly likely. Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile and dozens of foreign operators have every incentive to preserve competition rather than hand a vertically integrated rival that much influence, and AST's wholesale model lets them extend networks, keep subscribers and share the economics. Execution and launch cadence remain critical, but the reward is massive. x.com x.com x.com x.com … Show more
AST SpaceMobile is the non-consensus winner of Starlink's IPO, because Starlink's aggression makes carriers more eager to fund their own satellite hedge. Every dollar Starlink takes from AT&T and Verizon pushes them toward AST, which runs through carrier billing and branding as a carrier-native partner rather than a competitor. AST has 60 carrier partners and $1.2B in contracted revenue commitments. The consensus that Starlink's listing finishes AST has it backwards. x.com x.com
AST SpaceMobile faces growing satellite-cellular competition beyond Starlink Mobile, which, per Starlink, agreed to acquire a nationwide US low-band spectrum portfolio. A later 5,105-satellite direct-to-cell system from Amazon tied to Globalstar is also a threat. AST's best chance is giving AT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile a fighting chance against them; that reliable Starlink Mobile service is a long way off doesn't matter. x.com x.com x.com x.com
Anti-SpaceX demand could bring AST SpaceMobile and Amazon a lot of business. If Avery Sullivan's interpretation of AST's E-band filing as a push into consumer broadband is right, that would be huge for AST. x.com
AST SpaceMobile's drone-connectivity opportunity now has enacted US 800 MHz access, while its direct-to-cell rollout has reached a Philippine demonstration. The FCC opened the cellular bands AST leases from AT&T and Verizon to airborne drone command, communications and payload use; AST also holds global MSS rights in those bands. Its Philippine filing names Smart Communications, with over 61 million subscribers, and a temporary 30-day demo permit, not permanent commercial service. x.com x.com … Show more
AST SpaceMobile remains unattractive on satellite handoff execution: Starlink's broadband service handles handoffs across hundreds of satellites, while ASTS is starting from zero after six years. SpaceX's proven handoff software makes Starlink's move to phone service more predictable. x.com x.com x.com
AST SpaceMobile looks set to win as European mobile operators seek an alternative to Starlink. Bloomberg reports that some of Europe's biggest operators have agreed to form a consortium to bid for satellite spectrum and offer direct-to-mobile service to counter Starlink. x.com
