AST SpaceMobile Inc., a publicly traded satellite designer and manufacturer, has announced a teaming agreement with Fairwinds Technologies LLC to explore potential opportunities to jointly market AST SpaceMobile’s planned services and satellite technologies to the military market.
Fairwinds develops end-to-end communications solutions for the defense community and public sector agencies. Military forces have an operational need for high bandwidth, low latency and secure communications but often operate in areas without existing, trusted cellular coverage.
“Our space-based cellular broadband network is being designed to offer new capabilities, including potential applications for the tactical military communications mission scope, which could offer a next-generation, resilient alternative to existing technologies,” says Chris Ivory, chief commercial officer of AST SpaceMobile.
Fairwinds is a U.S. government prime contractor with experience designing solutions for defense and civilian agencies worldwide and an approved vendor for various government contract vehicles.
“Focusing on next-generation and space-based communications technologies that address network resiliency, 4G/5G competitiveness and positioning, navigation and timing (PNT) is vital. AST SpaceMobile’s network is being designed to offer potential solutions for these needs,” says Tim Hillner, chief technology officer of Fairwinds Technologies.
AST SpaceMobile’s mission is to eliminate the connectivity gaps faced by today’s five billion mobile subscribers and finally bring broadband to the billions who remain unconnected. The company has entered into agreements and understandings with mobile network operators, who collectively have over 2 billion mobile subscribers.
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