AST SpaceMobile Eyes Spectrum Buys to Counter Amazon-Globalstar

AST SpaceMobile is being analyzed as a potential acquirer of Iridium or Viasat spectrum assets as a direct strategic counter to Amazon's move to acquire Globalstar, which would give the e-commerce and cloud giant dedicated satellite spectrum and infrastructure for its connectivity ambitions. The logic centers on spectrum scarcity: as major technology platforms lock up low-Earth orbit assets, independent satellite broadband operators face a narrowing window to secure the frequency rights needed to scale commercially. AST SpaceMobile, which has built its model around delivering broadband directly to unmodified mobile handsets via satellite, would need expanded spectrum to compete at scale against a well-capitalized Amazon-Globalstar combination. Iridium holds L-band spectrum rights with global coverage, while Viasat controls Ka-band and other assets that could extend AST's reach. Neither deal has been confirmed, and the framing remains speculative analysis rather than disclosed corporate activity. The near-term signal to watch is whether AST moves to formalize any spectrum acquisition talks as the Amazon-Globalstar regulatory review progresses.