Midland tech company backs expanded satellite-based wireless cellular communications

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Satellite
AST & Science LLC is backing financial investments to expand access to satellite-based wireless communications. | Stock Photo

AST & Science LLC supports the United States Senate Appropriations Committee's backing of the FCC bringing satellite-based wireless communication to areas with poor mobile connectivity and those who need it in emergencies.

The committee highlighted private-sector development and encouraged FCC support in the Fiscal Year 2021 Appropriations Bill.

"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," AST SpaceMobile CEO and chairman Abel Avellan said in a company release.

AST SpaceMobile is collaborating with NASA, which recently discussed and highlighted AST SpaceMobile and NASA's passion for safe space use. AST SpaceMobile implements safety measures for operations of the planned communications satellite constellation in space and will have a space launch and associated thresholds.

"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," Avellan said in the company's release. "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."

AST SpaceMobile is currently building the only broadband cellular network in space that will operate with mobile devices based on IP and patent portfolio. The company is staffed of engineers and space scientists who work diligently to remove connectivity gaps.