Verizon struck an agreement with AST SpaceMobile to utilise the satellite company’s direct-to-device (D2D) services starting in 2026, complementing the US mobile operator’s terrestrial network.

From next year, the pair stated they will combine Verizon’s terrestrial infrastructure, 850MHz spectrum assets and AST SpaceMobile’s space-based cellular network in low earth orbit to allow customers to stay connected “wherever they are, from hiking trails to city centres and everywhere in between”.

The deal marks an expansion from a strategic partnership struck between the duo in May 2024, when Verizon pledged to invest $100 million in AST SpaceMobile. Verizon’s partnership was announced shortly after AST SpaceMobile signed a six-year D2D extension to an agreement with AT&T.

Chief rival to the pair T-Mobile US has a D2D agreement in place with Elon Musk’s SpaceX.

Ubiquitous reach
Abel Avellan, CEO of AST SpaceMobile, said through its definitive commercial agreement with Verizon, it was working to deliver coverage from space “across the continental United States”.

He added: “This agreement will extend the scope of Verizon’s 850MHz premium-low band into areas of the US that would benefit from the ubiquitous reach of space-based broadband technology”.

The satellite company explained the agreement with Verizon had been reached following testing milestones, including a Voice over LTE call made from a smartphone on a Verizon network in Texas, connecting via an AST SpaceMobile satellite to another Verizon smartphone in New Jersey.

Srini Kapala, SVP of technology and product development at Verizon, added it was creating “a new paradigm of connectivity that will unlock the full potential of the digital age”, through the partnership.