AST SpaceMobile and Smart Communications Collaboration, Announced!

On July 6, 2021, AST SpaceMobile, Inc. (NASDAQ: ASTS), the American company building the first and only space-based cellular broadband network that's accessible directly by standard mobile phones, today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to collaborate with Smart Communications, a leading mobile services provider in the Philippines. 

The combined effort would explore opportunities to extend SpaceMobile cellular broadband connectivity to the Philippines mainland, islands and surrounding waters after the service is launched.  

According to Mr. Abel Avellan, Chairman and CEO of AST SpaceMobile, "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."

He added, "With this MoU, we have entered into agreements and understandings with mobile network operators which collectively cover approximately 1.4 billion mobile subscribers."

Under the MoU, AST SpaceMobile will seek to offer cellular broadband network coverage to approximately 70 million Smart subscribers following execution of definitive agreements and successful launch of the SpaceMobile service.  

"This collaboration between Smart and AST SpaceMobile strongly supports this vision, as 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 alongside delivering exceptional customer experience across the Philippines’ more than 7,000 islands,” shared Mr. Alfredo S. Panlilio, Smart Communications President and CEO. 

He added, "This new satellite communications technology aims to help us accomplish our mission of connecting the entire nation, where nobody gets left behind."

About AST SpaceMobile 

AST SpaceMobile is building the first and only global broadband cellular network in space to operate directly with standard, unmodified mobile devices based on our extensive IP and patent portfolio. Our team of 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. Follow AST SpaceMobile on Twitter @AST_SpaceMobile, and LinkedIn.

About Smart Communications, Inc. 

Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart) is a wholly-owned wireless communications and digital services subsidiary of PLDT, Inc., the Philippines’ largest and only integrated telco company. Smart serves 96% of the country’s population with its combined 2G, 3G, 4G LTE and 5G network, providing mobile communications services, high-speed internet connectivity, and access to digital services and content to over 71.8 million Filipinos (as of March 2021), through its commercial brands Smart and TNT. Smart also offers satellite communication services under the brand Smart World.