# AST SpaceMobile satellite constellation development

> Developing situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/ast-spacemobile-satellite-constellation-development
> Updated: 2026-11-03T01:02:06.000Z. Sources: 31. Developments: 2.

AST SpaceMobile is advancing its low Earth orbit constellation intended to provide cellular broadband to unmodified smartphones. In October 2026, the company delivered three additional BlueBird satellites, numbered 14, 15, and 16, to Cape Canaveral, Florida. The company aims to reach approximately 45 satellites by early 2027 to facilitate stable commercial services.

By November 2026, AST SpaceMobile and AT&T achieved a technical milestone by completing the first successful handoff between terrestrial cellular infrastructure and direct-to-device satellite connectivity. This test, conducted near Granite Falls, Washington, with support from Ericsson and Nokia, demonstrated the ability to transfer active connections between wireless networks without user intervention.

## Claims

- SpaceX and Qualcomm signed a multiyear agreement to support Starlink Mobile. (reported by 16 sources)
- The deployment of the 5G network is scheduled to begin in 2027. (reported by 15 sources)
- Qualcomm will supply Dragonwing QRU100 and QDU100 platforms. (reported by 9 sources)
- SpaceX intends to deploy the technology across tens of thousands of sites. (reported by 9 sources)
- The financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed. (reported by 9 sources)
- The network will feature Massive MIMO with 64 transmit and 64 receive paths. (reported by 8 sources)
- Starlink accounted for 36% of SpaceX revenue and 85% of operating profit in Q3 2026. (reported by 4 sources)
- SpaceX reportedly negotiated to acquire Boost Mobile from EchoStar. (reported by 4 sources)

## Timeline

### 2026-11-03: SpaceX and Qualcomm partner for Starlink Mobile 5G network

SpaceX and Qualcomm have signed a multiyear deal to deploy a nationwide 5G ground network for Starlink Mobile, starting in 2027, to challenge major US telecom carriers.

31 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/ast-spacemobile-and-att-achieve-first-satellite-to-cellular-handoff

### 2026-10-11: AST SpaceMobile delivers three BlueBird satellites to Cape Canaveral

AST SpaceMobile has delivered three more BlueBird satellites to Cape Canaveral, advancing its goal of building a global satellite-to-smartphone cellular network.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/ast-spacemobile-delivers-three-bluebird-satellites-to-cape-canaveral

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Cite as: AST SpaceMobile satellite constellation development. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/ast-spacemobile-satellite-constellation-development