MIDLAND, Texas–(BUSINESS WIRE). 5G agreement with Nokia. Under this agreement, Nokia and AST SpaceMobile will work to achieve their joint ambition to expand universal coverage and connect underserved communities around the world. The planned launch of AST SpaceMobile’s BlueWalker 3 test satellite later this year will kick off global testing with mobile network operators on six continents.
AST SpaceMobile’s mission is to eliminate the connectivity gaps faced by more than five billion mobile subscribers worldwide and to bring cellular broadband to approximately half of the world’s population who are still not connected. Their approach means that subscribers outside of cellular coverage could access broadband speeds without having to invest in specialized hardware and be able to switch from terrestrial to space networks for the first time. Through its relationships with mobile network operators, AST SpaceMobile has entered into agreements and understandings with mobile network operators who collectively serve more than 1.8 billion cellular customers.
Nokia’s AirScale Single RAN equipment is intended to enable AST SpaceMobile to provide mobile services to new and existing subscribers in areas currently unserved by terrestrial communications networks. This includes connecting devices globally on land, at sea or in the air. Nokia will provide equipment from its comprehensive, energy-efficient AirScale portfolio, including its AirScale base stations powered by its latest generation of Nokia’s ReefShark System-on-Chip (SoC) chipsets. AST SpaceMobile will benefit from Nokia’s modular baseband plug-in cards that add capacity where it is needed, providing flexibility and efficiency. Nokia will also provide its NetAct solution for network management and transparent day-to-day network operations as well as optimization and technical support services.
“Connectivity must be considered an essential service in the same way as water, electricity or gas. Everyone should be able to have access to universal broadband services that ensure no one is left behind,” said Tommi Uitto, President of Mobile Networks at Nokia. “Nokia has a long history of providing connectivity solutions that have had a major and positive impact on society. We have worked closely with AST SpaceMobile on this important initiative for two years which aims to provide crucial space connectivity to underserved communities around the world. We are of course proud that our technology plays an important role in supporting networks. »
AST SpaceMobile plans to launch its BlueWalker 3 satellite for testing in early to mid-September from Cape Canaveral, Florida. BlueWalker 3 is a low Earth orbit satellite and has an aperture of approximately 64 square meters (693 square feet), which is designed to communicate directly with cellular devices via standard 3GPP frequencies. Ultimately, AST SpaceMobile aims to deploy around 100 satellites to achieve substantial global mobile coverage.
“With the integration of Nokia’s AirScale system, AST SpaceMobile and Nokia are taking an important step towards closing connectivity gaps around the world,” said Scott Wisniewski, Chief Strategy Officer, AST SpaceMobile. “Nokia supports us with dozens of professional engineers and development, including leading architectural research experts from Bell Labs, Nokia’s world-renowned industrial research arm. In the coming months, we plan to launch our BlueWalker 3 test satellite in low Earth orbit, featuring a 64 square meter phased array antenna designed for direct-to-cell connectivity With this satellite, we plan to perform tests around the world with major network operators mobile devices, leveraging Nokia’s technology solutions in the field.
Nokia is committed to providing equitable opportunities for all and access to education, healthcare, employment and digital community services. Nokia supports the 2025 targets set by the Broadband Commission for Sustainable Development to “connect the other half” over the next five years. They are involved in several ongoing projects around the world, notably in El Salvador and Kenya. These public/private initiatives are designed to bring public services such as schools and hospitals online. They aim to dramatically improve access to the Internet and create the foundations that will enable everyone to participate in the digital economy.
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About Nokia
At Nokia, we create technology that helps the world act together.
As a trusted partner for critical networks, we are committed to being at the forefront of innovation and technology across mobile, fixed and cloud networks. We create value with intellectual property and long-term research, led by award-winning Nokia Bell Labs.
Adhering to the highest standards of integrity and safety, we help build the capabilities needed for a more productive, sustainable and inclusive world.
About AST SpaceMobile
AST SpaceMobile is building the first and only global cellular broadband network in space to work directly with standard, unmodified mobile devices based on our extensive patent and IP portfolio. Our space engineers and scientists are on a mission to close the connectivity gaps faced by today’s five billion mobile subscribers and finally bring broadband to the billions who are still unconnected. For more information, follow AST SpaceMobile on YouTube, Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook. Watch this video for an overview of the SpaceMobile mission.
Forward-looking statements
This communication contains “forward-looking statements” that are not historical facts and involve risks and uncertainties that could cause AST SpaceMobile’s actual results to differ materially from those expected and projected. These forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology, including the words “believes”, “estimates”, “anticipates”, “expects”, “intends”, “expects”. , “may”, “will”. ‘, ‘would’, ‘potential’, ‘projects’, ‘predicted’, ‘continuing’ or ‘should’, or, in each case, negative or other variants thereof or comparable terminology.
These forward-looking statements involve significant risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from expected results. Most of these factors are beyond AST SpaceMobile’s control and are difficult to predict. Factors that could cause such differences include, but are not limited to: (i) expectations regarding AST SpaceMobile’s future strategies and financial performance, including AST’s future business plans or objectives, expected functionality of the SpaceMobile service, expected timing and level of satellite deployment, anticipated demand and acceptance of mobile satellite services, performance and potential business opportunities and competitors, timing for obtaining regulatory approvals , ability to fund its research and development activities, acquisition and retention of business partnerships, products and services, pricing, marketing plans, operating expenses, market trends, revenues, liquidity , cash flow and liquidity usage, capital expenditures and AST’s ability to invest in initiatives growth; (ii) negotiation of definitive agreements with mobile network operators relating to the SpaceMobile service which would replace the preliminary agreements and memorandums of understanding; (iii) AST SpaceMobile’s ability to grow and manage growth profitably and retain its key employees and AST SpaceMobile’s responses to the actions of its competitors and its ability to compete effectively; (iv) changes in applicable laws or regulations; (v) the possibility that AST SpaceMobile may be adversely affected by other economic, business and/or competitive factors; (vi) the outcome of any legal proceedings that may be brought against AST SpaceMobile; and (vii) other risks and uncertainties set forth in the Company’s filings with the SEC, including those in the Risk Factors section of AST SpaceMobile’s Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 31, 2022. .
AST SpaceMobile cautions that the above list of factors is not exclusive. AST SpaceMobile cautions readers not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date they are made. For additional information identifying important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking statements, please see the Risk Factors incorporated by reference in AST SpaceMobile’s Form 10-K filed with of the SEC on March 31, 2022. AST SpaceMobile’s securities filings may be viewed in the EDGAR section of the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. Except as expressly required by applicable securities law, AST SpaceMobile disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.