‘Would-be global supplier of direct-to-cellular (D2C) services for the world’s telcos, AST SpaceMobile, is seeking permission to more than double its satellite fleet size. Currently it has authorisation to orbit 243 satellites. It has asked the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) for permission to coordinate frequencies and spectrum for the proposed new craft and their orbits.’¹
Assuming EnSilica designed AST5000 chips are used (as with AST’s latest BlueBird Block 2 satellites) I suspect this could significantly increase the previously confirmed contract value estimate of c.US$28m over the next 10 years.²
They’re reportedly seeking to go from 243 to 543 satellites. In EnSilica’s FY2025 presentation last November (see image) it looks like EnSilica were expecting 245 satellites by 2028, so another 300 or so satellites may result in a notable boost to royalties if the AST5000 chip is used.
¹ Advanced Television, Chris Forrester, 26 March 2026, https://www.advanced-television.com/2026/03/26/ast-spacemobile-seeks-to-double-fleet-size
² https://www.londonstockexchange.com/news-article/ENSI/contract-update/17081930
