ASTS Stock Soars as CEO Touts New Rocket Plan — SpaceX and Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin Set to Launch Its Satellites

AST SpaceMobile Inc. (NASDAQ:ASTS) reiterated the company’s goal to establish a space-based broadband network for users, with CEO Abel Avellan saying that its plans involve launch agreements with Space Exploration Technologies Corp. (NASDAQ:SPCX) and Jeff Bezos-backed Blue Origin.

Abel Avellan’s Four-Stage Approach

During the company’s Q3 earnings call, Avellan reaffirmed that the company’s goal was to establish “the first and only space-based cellular broadband network accessible directly by everyday smartphones.” He added that the approach could be defined by four milestones.

Avellan then pointed out that the company will roll out its service in the U.S. and “other key markets” before the end of the year. “We announced Blacklift, our own 20-ton reusable rocket powered by the Miranda and Vira engines, with launches starting in late 2028,” he said, pointing to the company’s launch capabilities.

AST SpaceMobile also secured a “dual-use commercial and government DPAS rating,” which stands for the Defense Priorities and Allocations System, a regulatory system by the Department of Commerce that dictates prioritized availability of resources for defense, energy and other industries.

“We now have launches planned in 2027 and 2028 with SpaceX, Blue Origin, and others, supporting a planned 100 satellites in orbit,” Avellan said.

He also pointed to the company’s “$1 billion in non-dilutive subsidies” from the Japanese Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications to establish the country’s low Earth orbit satellite network providing direct-to-device connectivity.

Worldwide Connectivity?

Avellan then discussed the company’s BlueBird constellation, saying that it expects to “work with all major mobile network operators in the U.S. and Europe.”

The CEO also said that it gives the company a “potential commercial ecosystem in excess of our current agreement with over 60 mobile network operators, representing over 3 billion subscribers globally.”

The company also expects to reach a production of six satellites per month by December and that the “first step” of its coverage rollout will be via “strategic partners in five markets: U.S., Canada, Japan, Saudi Arabia, and United Kingdom.”

“We validated the first-ever satellite beam handover between ground-based and space-based cellular broadband networks,” Avellan said, outlining the company’s partnership with AT&T Inc. (NYSE:T). The company said it illustrates customers experiencing a seamless transition between cell towers and the space network.

“We are targeting approximately 100 megahertz of spectrum access in the U.S. and more than 60 megahertz globally," Avellan said.

ASTS Earnings

AST SpaceMobile reported Q3 2026 revenue of $42.32 million, which missed the analyst expectations of $46.64 million. It reported a loss of 44 cents per share, which also missed the consensus estimate of a loss of 40 cents per share.

However, the company reiterated its revenue guidance of $150 million to $200 million for the year.

SpaceX’s Cellular Service Bid

SpaceX’s cellular service goals, meanwhile, are taking shape as the commercial spaceflight company announced a deal with chipmaker Qualcomm Inc. (NASDAQ:QCOM) to use its Dragonwing infrastructure to power the Starlink mobile service.

Elon Musk, over the weekend, shared that he was “excited” to collaborate with Qualcomm to establish the service, which would provide 5G network coverage starting 2027, the company said.

The upcoming service, however, has seen major opposition from traditional telecom providers like Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE:VZ), T-Mobile US Inc. (NASDAQ:TMUS) and AT&T. SpaceX, in turn, has accused the companies of intentionally trying to harm its efforts.

Price Action: ASTS shares declined 0.27% to $36.79 during overnight trading on Monday after the stock surged 14.10% to $36.89 at market close.

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