Ast Spacemobile IncPartnership with Rakuten for satellite internet service and operational status of BlueBirds satellites indicate strong demand for its products.
AST SpaceMobile shares surged 21.44 percent to close at $86.77 on Monday after reports that it is partnering with Japan's Rakuten Group to develop a satellite internet service similar to Starlink. Nikkei reported the two companies are forming a joint venture potentially worth $1 billion to buy and operate satellites for a direct-to-mobile service, with coverage in Japan targeted for next year. The rally was also fueled by confirmation that its next-generation BlueBirds 8, 9, and 10 are now fully operational in orbit, and that manufacturing is advancing through BlueBird 37. The company plans to launch BlueBirds 11, 12, and 13 in the first half of August as it expands its space-based cellular broadband network.
Ast Spacemobile IncPartnership with Rakuten for satellite internet service and operational status of BlueBirds satellites indicate strong demand for its products.
Rakuten forms joint venture with AST SpaceMobile to develop satellite internet service, expanding its business.