Smart inks MOU with AST SpaceMobile for cellular broadband coverage

Global cellular broadband network AST SpaceMobile Inc. is set to offer services to the 70 million subscribers of Pangilinan-led Smart Communications Inc., as the two parties inked a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on Tuesday.

Under the MOU, AST SpaceMobile will offer cellular broadband connectivity to the Philippines’ mainland, island, and surrounding waters, particularly to Smart subscribers.

“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,” AST SpaceMobile chairman and CEO Abel Avellan said in a statement.

“With this MOU, we have entered into agreements and understandings with mobile operators which collectively cover approximately 1.4 billion mobile subscribers,” Avellan added.

Listed on the Nasdaq, AST SpaceMobile is building the first space-based cellular broadband network accessible directly by standard mobile phones.

With the partnership, AST SpaceMobile’s services will be made available to the 70 million Smart subscribers following the successful launch of the service.

“This new satellite communications technology aims to help us accomplish our mission of connecting the entire nation, where nobody gets left behind,” said Smart President and CEO Alfredo Panlilio.

Smart has continued to expand its 5G network across the country, with over 2,600 sites nationwide as of April.

Shares in PLDT Inc., Smart Communications’ parent company, are trading down by P18.00 or 1.35% at P1,312.00 apiece as of 10:43 a.m. —KG, GMA News