• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to secondary sidebar
  • NEWS:
  • SatNews
  • SatMagazine
  • MilSatMagazine
  • SmallSat News
  • |     EVENTS:
  • SmallSat Symposium
  • Satellite Innovation
  • MilSat Symposium

SatNews

  • HOME
  • Magazines
  • Events
  • Perspectives
  • Industry Calendar
    • IN PERSON
    • VIRTUAL
  • Subscribe

U.S. Senate Promotes Private Sector Development to Deliver Broadband Connectivity to the Unconnected

November 22, 2020

AST & Science LLC (“AST SpaceMobile”) confirmed that the United States Senate Appropriations Committee’s recent support for the FCC to bring next-generation, satellite-based wireless communications to areas lacking mobile connectivity, and to those in need during times of emergency, is seen as a strong validation for AST SpaceMobile’s new and game-changing space communications technology. 

As outlined in the Committee’s Fiscal Year 2021 Senate Appropriations bill, EXPLANATORY STATEMENT FOR FINANCIAL SERVICES AND GENERAL GOVERNMENT APPROPRIATIONS BILL, 2021, the committee highlighted private sector development and encouraged FCC support for innovative technologies designed to provide U.S. citizens with space-based broadband communications to their existing mobile devices without the need for traditional ground infrastructure.   

“We believe connectivity is a human right for everyone and we are pleased to see strong U.S. bipartisan support for an innovative space-based wireless communications approach that ties directly to our business model,” said Abel Avellan, Chairman & CEO, AST SpaceMobile. 

AST SpaceMobile recently participated in the public comment period regarding the 5G Fund for Rural America. In October, the FCC formally moved to allow mobile-satellite providers that meet specified performance standards and other requirements to apply to participate with its partners in the 5G Fund auction as a 5G broadband provider. The 5G Fund will distribute up to $9 billion for 5G wireless broadband connectivity in rural America to close the digital divide.  

Additionally, AST SpaceMobile has commenced collaborations with NASA highlighting the company’s and NASA’s commitment for the responsible and safe use of space. AST SpaceMobile safety measures for operations of its planned communications satellite constellation in space will include: employing a launch and on-orbit conjunction analysis and mitigation process, associated thresholds, as well as collaboration with NASA and other space operators to mitigate the risk of on-orbit collisions and minimize the creation of new space debris.

“In conjunction with our strategic partners, we are moving forward with our plans to launch our next-generation satellite constellation that will provide low-latency broadband wireless communications directly to the smartphones in the pockets of every citizen, without any need for specialized satellite hardware,” added Avellan. “Our goal is to democratize access to mobile broadband by bringing connectivity to the hardest to reach areas in the U.S. and around the globe and by providing a critical back-up wireless capability in times of emergency when people need it most. We are grateful for the invaluable support we are attracting as we gain momentum in setting the stage to bring our game-changing network to the public.”

Filed Under: Agencies, Comms, Partnerships

Primary Sidebar

Most Read Stories

  • Intelsat's Bankruptcy Court Postpones Hearing Regarding SES Unfair Practices Claim... Plus, Northrop Grumman's MEV-2 Closing On Target Satellite
  • From Baikonur, 38 SmallSats Preparing For Push To Orbit By GK Launch Services
  • UPDATE: They Go Up So Fast... Rocket Lab Enjoys A Six Smallsat Launch Success...
  • Gilat To Provide The Satellite Network + Thousands of VSATs To Brazil’s Largest Private Sector Energy Company
  • SpaceX Requesting FCC License To Approve Mobile Comms Via The Starlink Constellation

About Satnews

  • Contacts
  • History

Archives

  • April 2021
  • March 2021
  • February 2021
  • January 2021
  • December 2020
  • November 2020
  • October 2020
  • September 2020
  • August 2020
  • July 2020
  • June 2020
  • May 2020
  • April 2020

Secondary Sidebar

x
Sign up Now (For Free)
Access daily or weekly satellite news updates covering all aspects of the commercial and military satellite industry.
Invalid email address
Notify Me Regarding ( At least one ):
We value your privacy and will not sell or share your email or other information with any other company. You may also unsubscribe at anytime.

Click Here to see our full privacy policy.
Thanks for subscribing!