- Nokia wins five-year global 4G and 5G deal from AST
SpaceMobile
- AST SpaceMobile plans to bring cellular connectivity directly
to 4G and 5G devices via low Earth-orbiting satellites in
collaboration with mobile network operators
- Nokia and AST SpaceMobile committed to finding real-world
solutions to expand universal coverage and close the digital divide
around the world
AST SpaceMobile, Inc. (“AST SpaceMobile”) (NASDAQ: ASTS), the
company building the first and only space-based cellular broadband
network accessible directly by standard mobile phones, today
announced that they have signed a five-year 5G deal with Nokia.
Under the deal, 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.
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the full release here:
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Nokia and AST SpaceMobile committed to
finding real-world solutions to expand universal coverage and close
the digital divide around the world. (Photo: Business Wire)
AST SpaceMobile's mission is to eliminate the connectivity gaps
faced by over five billion mobile subscribers worldwide and to
bring cellular broadband to approximately half of the world's
population who remain unconnected. Their approach will mean that
subscribers outside the reach of cellular coverage could have
access to broadband speeds without having to invest in specialized
hardware and be able to roam from land networks to space networks
for the first time. Through its mobile network operator
relationships, AST SpaceMobile has entered into agreements and
understandings with mobile network operators which collectively
service over 1.8 billion cellular customers.
Nokia’s AirScale Single RAN equipment aims to enable AST
SpaceMobile in providing mobile services to new and existing
subscribers in regions currently not served by terrestrial
communication networks. This includes connecting devices globally
on land, at sea, or in flight. 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 which add
capacity where it is needed offering flexibility and efficiency.
Nokia will also provide its NetAct solution for network management
and seamless daily network operations as well as optimization and
technical support services.
“Connectivity should be considered an essential service like
water, electricity or gas. Everyone should be able to have access
to universal broadband services that will ensure that no one is
left behind,” said Tommi Uitto, President of Mobile Networks at
Nokia. “Nokia has a long history of delivering 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 seeks to provide crucial
connectivity from space to underserved communities around the
world. We are of course proud our technology is playing an
important role in underpinning the 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 orbiting satellite and has an aperture
of approximately 64 square meters (693 square feet), which is
designed to communicate directly with cellular devices via 3GPP
standard frequencies. Ultimately, AST SpaceMobile is aiming to
deploy approximately 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 toward closing
connectivity gaps all over the world," said Scott Wisniewski, Chief
Strategy Officer at AST SpaceMobile. “Nokia is supporting us with
dozens of engineers and development professionals, including
leading architecture research experts at Bell Labs, the
world-renowned industrial research arm of Nokia. In the coming
months, we are scheduled to launch our BlueWalker 3 test satellite
into low Earth orbit, which has a 64-square meter phased array
antenna designed for direct-to-cell connectivity. With this
satellite, we plan to conduct testing all over the world with
leading mobile network operators, leveraging Nokia's technology
solutions on the ground.”
Nokia is committed to equitable opportunity for all and access
to education, healthcare, jobs, and community digital services.
Nokia supports the 2025 targets set by The Broadband Commission for
Sustainable Development that aims to ‘connect the other half’ in
the next five years. They are involved in several projects underway
around the world including in El Salvador and Kenya. These
public/private initiatives are designed to bring public services
such as schools and hospitals online. They are intended to vastly
improve internet access as well as create the foundations that will
enable everyone to participate in the digital economy.
Resources Nokia AirScale
About Nokia
At Nokia, we create technology that helps the world act
together.
As a trusted partner for critical networks, we are committed to
innovation and technology leadership across mobile, fixed and cloud
networks. We create value with intellectual property and long-term
research, led by the award-winning Nokia Bell Labs.
Adhering to the highest standards of integrity and security, 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 operate directly with standard,
unmodified mobile devices based on our extensive IP and patent
portfolio. Our engineers and space scientists are on a mission to
eliminate the connectivity gaps faced by today's five billion
mobile subscribers and finally bring broadband to the billions who
remain 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 actual results of AST SpaceMobile 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,” “plans,” “may,” “will,” “would,” “potential,”
“projects,” “predicts,” “continue,” or “should,” or, in each case,
their negative or other variations or comparable terminology.
These forward-looking statements involve significant risks and
uncertainties that could cause the actual results to differ
materially from the expected results. Most of these factors are
outside AST SpaceMobile’s control and are difficult to predict.
Factors that may cause such differences include, but are not
limited to: (i) expectations regarding AST SpaceMobile’s strategies
and future financial performance, including AST’s future business
plans or objectives, expected functionality of the SpaceMobile
Service, anticipated timing and level of deployment of satellites,
anticipated demand and acceptance of mobile satellite services,
prospective performance and commercial opportunities and
competitors, the timing of obtaining regulatory approvals, ability
to finance its research and development activities, commercial
partnership acquisition and retention, products and services,
pricing, marketing plans, operating expenses, market trends,
revenues, liquidity, cash flows and uses of cash, capital
expenditures, and AST’s ability to invest in growth initiatives;
(ii) the negotiation of definitive agreements with mobile network
operators relating to the SpaceMobile service that would supersede
preliminary agreements and memoranda of understanding; (iii) the
ability of AST SpaceMobile to grow and manage growth profitably and
retain its key employees and AST SpaceMobile’s responses to actions
of its competitors and its ability to effectively compete; (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 instituted against AST SpaceMobile; and
(vii) other risks and uncertainties indicated 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 foregoing list of factors is
not exclusive. AST SpaceMobile cautions readers not to place undue
reliance upon any forward-looking statements, which speak only as
of the date made. For information identifying important factors
that could cause actual results to differ materially from those
anticipated in the forward-looking statements, please refer to the
Risk Factors incorporated by reference into AST SpaceMobile’s Form
10-K filed with the SEC on March 31, 2022. AST SpaceMobile’s
securities filings can be accessed on 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 statements
whether as a result of new information, future events or
otherwise.
View source
version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220728005646/en/
Media Inquiries: Nokia Communications Email:
press.services@nokia.com AST SpaceMobile Media: Brandyn Bissinger
Email: press@ast-science.com AST SpaceMobile Investor: Scott
Wisniewski Email: investors@ast-science.com
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