To validate exactly what I had said about the difficulty of determining the "unlock" - imagine my surprise when I woke up to see $ASTS up 5-10%. I was already prepared to be "pissed" at the stock being up 25-30% because I thought the stock deserved to be a lot more
Successful launch should have been routine, but for a stock where so much sentiment is tied up in BW-3, anything that deviated from plan would have been taken out of context (never mind that $ASTS accrued all the IP and learning value from getting BW-3 through testing)
In reality, the probability of a successful launch was ~100%, so there was not that much risk into launch, as dramatic as a launch is. I know I was a nervous wreck. Anyone who didn't have the finale of Koyaanisqatsi somewhere in their mind is lying en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Koyaanisq…
I personally think Efficient Market Hypothesis is a load of sh~t, but here we are. The market apparently priced launch correctly
So we continue to search for the elusive 'unlock' for $ASTS, which is the reason to own the stock now instead of waiting until everything is obvious. I wonder whether we get a Biotech-type move ever, or if it's a slow steady ascent
First things first, it's clear that the $ASTS team measures twice and cut once. I'm not concerned at all about unfurling because I invested behind a team, not behind a piece of metal. #MeetTheTeam is exceptional and this is like watching the birth of a Qualcomm
When it comes to stocks, I believe you have to identify 'the obvious' and then move at least one click earlier. It's about the inflection of the 2nd derivative. If unfurling is the inflecting 2nd derivative, then you have to buy now in order to capture the big re-value
However, $ASTS stock might not work until we have actual monetization and/or demonstrate Bluebirds can be manufactured at scale. It could easily be the case that efficient market theory tells us "yeah dummy, the tech obviously works"...but the market doubts something else
So why own $ASTS now? You don't have to...but, re-valuation events occur suddenly and unexpectedly earlier than you think. Most return is compressed into short times. Are you sure you know when the unlock is? Are you sure you understand the game theory of how others will act?
What I "worry about," especially after $TMUS / SpaceX / $AAPL / $GSAT is a sudden change in Wall Street understanding about the trend. $TSLA was left for dead forever because Wall Street doubted the TAM or customer preferences
Imagine an initiation by $MS that shows the unbelievable TAM and early market lead by $ASTS? Then imagine how stupid you'd feel if you had been trying to time things perfectly. Imagine Ron Baron pitches $ASTS at Ira Sohn...duh, what an obvious stock!
Ask yourself, would you really establish your position on a +30% break? Would you hesitate and pray for a pull back? Would it come? Returns streams can be compressed and unpredictable. Be careful not to outsmart yourself
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Trump's Boy Brendan Carr gives ASTS the go-ahead, convertible bond successfully placed, a cleaned-up balance sheet and more in the Weekly
🏁ASTS Gets a Brendan Carr Approval
The Trump administration approved $ASTS testing on AT&T spectrum on the 3rd full day of its administration. The path for commercial operations starts now.
Blue Origin makes orbit on the first try, Starship faces on its seventh. ASTS has a flurry of FCC paperwork as ISRO seems to be gearing up for more business. That and more on The Weekly...
🤖Getting Up to Speed?
Listen to your favorite Fanboi's or get the real things on our Weekly Spaces
Blue Origin hot fires successfully (despite earlier market rumors), some year in reviews, STA updates, and much more...
AST SpaceMobile’s Transformational Year:
ASTS has undergone a significant evolution over the past year, transforming from a company grappling with technical and financial uncertainty to one with strong partnerships (Google, Verizon, AT&T), validated FCC approvals, government deals, and an emerging satellite technology platform. Block 1 deployment has shown real progress, and ASTS is now positioned as a potential leader in the direct-to-device satellite market. Challenges remain in scaling, securing additional funding, and achieving full regulatory approval.
Competitive Landscape: ASTS vs. Starlink:
Expert interviews highlight AST SpaceMobile’s unique approach with high-capacity satellites and large antennas, enabling superior speeds (20–100 Mbps). In contrast, Starlink leverages its rapid satellite deployment and spectrum agreements with T-Mobile to offer near-term services but with limited capacity and slower speeds (1–2 Mbps). Both companies face regulatory, technical, and financial hurdles as they race to capture growing demand in satellite-based IoT and connectivity markets.
Market Dynamics and Catalysts:
Key upcoming catalysts include potential BAML analyst coverage, further FCC spectrum decisions, and advancements in ASTS’s satellite deployments. Spectrum reuse and beamforming technologies remain critical to ASTS’s ability to scale and compete effectively. Meanwhile, broader telco market changes, like Verizon selling 6,300 towers and AT&T phasing out copper networks, underscore the push toward capital-efficient infrastructure and advanced wireless technologies.
Regulatory and Legal Developments:
Viasat has filed complaints against Starlink’s spectrum use, emphasizing interference and procedural concerns. This adds complexity to the regulatory landscape as ASTS and others vie for approval. ASTS’s ability to navigate these challenges will be pivotal for its success.
Investor Sentiment and Financial Developments:
Tax-loss selling and prior high trading volumes at levels above $25 suggest a reset in investor expectations, creating opportunities for a fresh start in 2025. ASTS’s recent shareholder decisions and redemptions also provide clarity on its financial position going into the new year.
Industry Highlights:
Telco Evolution: AT&T’s $6B annual maintenance cost for copper networks highlights the operational burdens of legacy infrastructure. Phasing out copper could unlock billions in recoverable resources.
Blue Origin and SpaceX Updates: Excitement continues in the space industry, with milestones such as static fire tests for upcoming launches.
IoT Potential: The adoption of 5G spectrum for satellite communication opens new avenues for integrating satellite connectivity into cars, industrial sensors, and more.
🎇ASTS Had a Year
A year ago we didn’t have Google and Verizon. AT&T wasn't an investor. We had no DA's. We had delayed Block 1 with real prospects the satellites were FUBAR'd (who knew). We had no FCC rules. We had no government deals. We weren't a prime contractor. We weren't selected by the Space Development Authority. We had no cash. We had no launch capacity confirmed beyond Block 1. Our ASIC was a question mark. Scott wasn't President.
Christmas is coming. Many updates and tidbits that advance our knowledge of AST Spacemobile...read on, friends
🚀 $ASTS WEEK IN REVIEW 🚀
Video Calls Now Possible:Beta services launching in early 2025 with FCC support. Each satellite delivers 1M GB usable capacity, covering vast regions.
50 MOUs secured for global partnerships.
Saturno Project Partnership:Collaboration with Vodafone and Spain for satellite-driven connectivity.
Focus on bridging the digital divide and innovating space technology.
5G Fund Progress: FCC rules effective Jan 2025 to fund ASTS's rural deployment. $50M annual funding likely for infrastructure expansion.
Global Opportunity: $ASTS emerging as the mobile-first leader, contrasting with Starlink's fixed solutions.
Partnerships with telecom giants like Vodafone ensure strong growth potential.
Industry Disruption: Competitors face challenges in compatibility and public perception. AST SpaceMobile poised for rapid adoption in underserved regions.
🎙️Scott Gives a Banger
- Already doing video calls
- One satellite can cover half the US
- 30% of MNO customers will pay more for this service
- Each satellite can do 1mm GB of usable capacity (excludes flyovers at 2am, for example because that’s deemed not usable)
- Not a limited or emergency service, it will be mainstream
- Very close to beta service
- FCC is very supportive
- Very dense airwaves and only ASTS can protect it
- Expect approval very soon
- Several thousand beta users early 2025
- 50 MOUs
- Behind MNOs, a desire to pull infrastructure out.
They want to outsource and have carrier neutral partners
“TMFBuilttoLast” asked a question about SpaceX. Lol. Timmay asked a question via a message board