Viasat Urges FCC to Reject AST SpaceMobile's Spectrum Request

Viasat has filed a petition with the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) urging it to reject an application from AST & Science, the operating unit of AST SpaceMobile, for a spectrum license for direct-to-device connectivity and V-band operations outside the United States.

Viasat stated that the application is "fundamentally flawed" and creates interference with its European aviation network operating in the 1980 to 1995 MHz band.

AST's application, filed last July, covers mobile communications frequencies outside the United States under its authorized 248-satellite system.

AST SpaceMobile shares fell about 2% in after-hours trading, after rising nearly 3% on Monday to close at $41.87, as investors await the outcome of the regulatory dispute.

What do these terms mean?

Radio Spectrum: A range of radio waves used by telecommunications, broadcasting, and satellite networks, regulated by governments to prevent signal interference between operators.

V-band: A high-frequency spectrum band used by some communication satellites to transmit data at high speeds, requiring regulatory approvals prior to operation.

Direct-to-Device: A service that connects a mobile phone directly to a satellite without the need for a nearby terrestrial cell tower.

Frequency Interference: Disruption or conflict that occurs when two networks use the same or adjacent frequencies, affecting connection quality.