Core Insights - AST SpaceMobile's stock surged by as much as 19% on Wednesday, continuing a strong upward trend, with an increase of over 300% in 2025 [1][4] - The company announced a significant agreement with Verizon to provide direct-to-cellular satellite service to consumers starting next year [1][2] Group 1: Company Developments - AST SpaceMobile's network is noted as the largest commercial communications array deployed in low Earth orbit, capable of connecting directly to standard smartphones [2] - The partnership with Verizon is seen as a major milestone, potentially transforming AST SpaceMobile from a meme stock to a serious competitor in the space tech sector [3] Group 2: Market Reaction - The announcement of the Verizon deal elicited a positive response from retail traders, particularly on platforms like Reddit's Wall Street Bets [3] - Prior to the Verizon news, AST SpaceMobile's stock had experienced a brief surge due to a false report about América Móvil considering a stake in the company [4]

Verizon has signed a deal to provide cellular service from space through AST SpaceMobile beginning next year. Shares of AST SpaceMobile, a space-based cellular broadband network, soared more than 10% before the market opened Wednesday. SpaceMobile's network is designed to operate across premium low-band spectrum, its own licensed L-band and S-band spectrum, and up to 1,150 MHz of mobile network operator partners’ low- and mid-band spectrum worldwide, the company said. “The agreement will extend the scop ...