The Investor
29 Oct 2025, 14:02
AST SpaceMobile and stc Group Sign 10-Year Deal for Satellite Mobile Broadband Across MENA
AST SpaceMobile (NASDAQ: ASTS) and Saudi Arabia’s stc Group announced a 10-year commercial agreement to deploy direct-to-device satellite broadband connectivity across Saudi Arabia and select markets in the Middle East and Africa. The deal includes a $175 million prepayment from stc and a long-term revenue commitment. Under the partnership, AST SpaceMobile will integrate its space-based cellular network with stc’s terrestrial infrastructure, build three ground gateways, and establish a Network Operations Center in Riyadh. The initiative aims to deliver 4G and 5G coverage directly to standard smartphones, expanding access to remote and underserved regions. Commercial service is expected to launch in late 2026, pending regulatory approvals.
AST SpaceMobile (NASDAQ: ASTS) and Saudi Arabia’s stc Group announced a 10-year commercial agreement to deploy direct-to-device satellite broadband connectivity across Saudi Arabia and select markets in the Middle East and Africa. The deal includes a $175 million prepayment from stc and a long-term revenue commitment. Under the partnership, AST SpaceMobile will integrate its space-based cellular network with stc’s terrestrial infrastructure, build three ground gateways, and establish a Network Operations Center in Riyadh. The initiative aims to deliver 4G and 5G coverage directly to standard smartphones, expanding access to remote and underserved regions. Commercial service is expected to launch in late 2026, pending regulatory approvals.
