Memorandum of Understanding Would Explore
Opportunities for New Telecommunications and Digital Solutions in
Saudi Arabia
AST SpaceMobile, Inc. (NASDAQ: ASTS), the company building the
first and only space-based cellular broadband network designed to
be accessible directly by standard mobile phones, today announced a
non-binding memorandum of understanding (“MoU”) with Zain KSA
(“Zain”), a leading telecommunications (“telecom”) operator and a
digital service provider in Saudi Arabia. The signing took place at
the international LEAP 2023 Tech Conference in Riyadh.
This press release features multimedia. View
the full release here:
https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230207005743/en/
(Photo: Business Wire)
The MoU would enable AST SpaceMobile and Zain KSA to collaborate
towards new telecom solutions and satellite-based digital services
in Saudi Arabia and aim to increase access to mobile services in
remote locations, including on land, at sea and in flight.
"We are thrilled to cooperate with Zain in Saudia Arabia. We
hope this collaboration will further access to reliable,
space-based cellular broadband for current and future mobile users
in the country," said Chris Ivory, Chief Commercial Officer of AST
SpaceMobile.
“We are committed to expanding our digital services and
communications to deliver an inclusive ecosystem that covers the
whole Kingdom with the highest service quality and reliability,
thereby enhancing our role in achieving a more connected and
sustainable world,” said Eng. Abdulrahman Al-Mufadda, Chief
Technology Officer of Zain KSA. “We are confident that our
collaboration with AST SpaceMobile, could help to potentially
provide space based cellular broadband connectivity in the Kingdom,
particularly in remote areas. In doing that, we reaffirm our
commitment to ensuring that every citizen and resident in this
precious land is connected wherever they may be.”
AST SpaceMobile's mission is to eliminate the connectivity gaps
faced by today's five billion mobile subscribers moving in and out
of coverage zones and bring cellular broadband to approximately
half of the world's population who remain unconnected. Other
partners in this effort include leading global wireless
infrastructure companies such as Rakuten Mobile, Vodafone Group,
American Tower and AT&T.
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.
About Zain KSA
Zain KSA is a leading telecom provider established in Saudi
Arabia on August 2008 as a listed company. In due respect to its
highly developed infrastructure, the company was successful in
establishing itself as a reliable telecom operator and a digital
service provider whose services include telecom services, 5G
network, digital payment services, cloud computing, IoT solutions,
fiber services, drones, and many others.
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.
The planned testing of the BlueWalker 3 (“BW3”) test satellite
may not be completed due to a variety of factors, which could
include loss of satellite connectivity, destruction of the
satellite, or other communication failures, and even if completed
as planned, the BW3 testing may indicate adjustments that are
needed or modifications that must be made, any of which could
result in additional costs, which could be material, and delays in
commercializing our service. The production and launch of our
BlueBird satellites may not be completed as currently contemplated
due to a variety of factors, which could include results of BW3
testing, challenges in completing our assembly and production
facility, launch difficulties, or supply chain shortages, any of
which could result in additional costs or delays, which could be
material. If there are delays or issues with our testing of BW3 or
production and launch of BlueBird satellites, it may become more
costly to raise capital, if we are able to do so at all.
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/20230207005743/en/
Investor: Scott Wisniewski investors@ast-science.com
Media: Brandyn Bissinger press@ast-science.com +1 866 845
6521
AST SpaceMobile (NASDAQ:ASTS)
Historical Stock Chart
From Apr 2023 to May 2023
AST SpaceMobile (NASDAQ:ASTS)
Historical Stock Chart
From May 2022 to May 2023