AST SpaceMobile aims to offer coverage for 70M Smart users

US-BASED firm AST SpaceMobile, Inc. plans to extend cellular broadband connectivity to around 70 million Smart Communications, Inc. subscribers.

The space-based cellular broadband network through a partnership with Smart will extend its services to the Philippines and its surrounding waters, the company said in a statement on Tuesday.

“Our collaboration with Smart to look into opportunities to offer the SpaceMobile service to their customers in rural communities would allow the company to offer affordable broadband cellular access to the unconnected for the first time ever,” AST SpaceMobile Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Abel Avellan said.

The partnership is part of AST SpaceMobile’s agreements covering 1.4 billion mobile subscribers with various network operators.

Smart Communications President and Chief Executive Officer Alfred S. Panlilio said that the satellite communications technology will help Smart expand connectivity in the country.

“We continue to invest in our networks and explore the most relevant innovations that will enable us to continue expanding the reach of our services,” he said.

AST SpaceMobile is the only global broadband cellular network in space to operate directly with standard mobile devices.

Smart is the wireless arm of PLDT, Inc. The company recently said it secured 22,000 permits for fixed and wireless projects since the government fast-tracked approvals last year.

Hastings Holdings, Inc., a unit of PLDT Beneficial Trust Fund subsidiary MediaQuest Holdings, Inc., has a majority stake in BusinessWorld through the Philippine Star Group, which it controls. —