Workflow
Bluebird satellites
icon
Search documents
AST SpaceMobile(ASTS) - 2025 Q3 - Earnings Call Transcript
2025-11-10 23:02
Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported GAAP revenue of $14.7 million for Q3 2025, a significant increase from approximately $2 million in the prior quarter, indicating a strong revenue ramp [22][33] - Non-GAAP adjusted operating expenses rose to $67.7 million in Q3 2025 from $51.7 million in Q2 2025, driven by increased engineering service costs and general administrative costs [28][29] - Capital expenditures decreased to approximately $259 million in Q3 2025 from $323 million in Q2 2025, reflecting the ebb and flow of capital commitments [30] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company secured over $1 billion in total contracted revenue commitments from commercial partners, highlighting the growth of its commercial ecosystem [10][17] - The company recognized approximately $15 million in revenue from U.S. government contracts and gateway equipment sales, marking a transition to double-digit revenue [22][33] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company has established agreements with over 50 mobile network operator (MNO) partners, covering nearly 3 billion subscribers globally, enhancing its market presence [7][10] - The definitive agreement with Verizon and Saudi Telecom Group (STC) signifies a strategic expansion into key markets, including the U.S. and the Middle East [6][20] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company aims to deepen its partner ecosystem through definitive commercial agreements, targeting full geographic coverage in the U.S. and expanding into international markets [10][19] - The strategy includes leveraging a robust spectrum portfolio to provide direct-to-device cellular broadband services, enhancing competitive advantages in the industry [14][15] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in achieving service activation in key markets by early 2026, with ongoing efforts to install gateways and integrate with partner networks [16][38] - The company anticipates continued growth in revenue and operational capabilities, supported by a strong balance sheet and strategic partnerships [15][38] Other Important Information - The company has a vertically integrated manufacturing process, with plans to increase satellite production to six per month by the end of 2025 [11][12] - The company has closed deals to acquire global S-band spectrum priority rights, enhancing its spectrum strategy and competitive positioning [13][14] Q&A Session Summary Question: What is the difference in processing capacity between Block 2 FPGA satellites and Block 2 ASICs? - The company has improved processing capacity tenfold, with the new satellites expected to reach 10 gigahertz [39] Question: Is the company weighing the benefits of AI for its spectrum management? - The company is actively implementing AI for spectrum management, enhancing efficiency and capacity utilization [42][44] Question: Will AST SpaceMobile structure a future launch event for retail shareholders? - The company plans to invite retail investors to upcoming launches, similar to previous events [45][47] Question: Why was additional capital raised despite being fully funded? - The additional capital provides flexibility and the ability to accelerate growth beyond initial markets, supporting a constellation of over 100 satellites [48][50] Question: Can you comment on the manufacturing of L-band satellites? - The company plans to interleave L-band and S-band on the same satellites and is awaiting formal FCC approval [60] Question: Are the satellites for the EU constellation incremental to the existing plan? - The satellites for the EU constellation are part of the existing plan and not incremental [73]
AST SpaceMobile(ASTS) - 2025 Q3 - Earnings Call Transcript
2025-11-10 23:00
Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported approximately $15 million in recognized revenue for Q3 2025, a significant increase from approximately $2 million in the prior quarter, indicating strong growth in revenue generation [22][31] - Non-GAAP adjusted operating expenses for Q3 were $67.7 million, up from $51.7 million in Q2, driven by increased engineering service costs and general administrative costs [26][27] - Capital expenditures for Q3 were approximately $259 million, down from $323 million in Q2, reflecting the ebb and flow of capital commitments [28] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company secured over $1 billion in total contracted revenue commitments from commercial partners, highlighting the growth of its commercial ecosystem [10][17] - The company has signed definitive commercial agreements with Verizon and Saudi Telecom Group, expanding its partnerships to nearly 3 billion subscribers globally [6][18] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company is targeting full geographic coverage of the continental United States and expanding its services in the Middle East and North Africa through partnerships with major mobile network operators [6][19] - The company anticipates launching its Block 2 Bluebird satellites starting in December 2025, with plans for five launches by the end of Q1 2026 [12][53] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company aims to deepen its partner ecosystem through definitive commercial agreements and has established a robust spectrum strategy to enhance its competitive advantage [10][14] - The company is focused on scaling its manufacturing and launch operations to support a constellation of over 100 satellites, enhancing its service capabilities globally [36][62] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in achieving its launch targets and emphasized the positive momentum in commercialization efforts, particularly in the U.S. government sector [24][53] - The company highlighted the importance of its recent funding activities, which provide flexibility for future growth and expansion into new markets [43][44] Other Important Information - The company has a vertically integrated manufacturing process, with plans to increase its manufacturing cadence to six satellites per month by the end of 2025 [11][12] - The company has developed a comprehensive global spectrum strategy, securing access to significant spectrum resources to support its operations [14][15] Q&A Session Summary Question: What is the difference in processing capacity between Block 2 FPGA satellites and Block 2 ASICs? - The company has improved processing capacity tenfold, with the new satellites expected to reach up to 10 gigahertz [37][38] Question: Is the company weighing the benefits of AI for its spectrum management? - The company is actively implementing AI for managing and administrating spectrum, enhancing efficiency [38][39] Question: Will the company structure a future launch event for retail shareholders? - The company plans to invite retail investors to upcoming launches, similar to previous events [40][41] Question: Why was additional capital raised despite being fully funded? - The company raised additional capital to enhance flexibility and accelerate growth beyond initial market plans [42][43] Question: Are the satellites for the EU constellation incremental to the existing plan? - The satellites for the EU constellation are part of the existing plan and not incremental [55][56]
ASTS Stock Before Q3 Earnings: A Smart Buy or Risky Investment?
ZACKS· 2025-11-06 18:01
Key Takeaways AST SpaceMobile reports Q3 2025 results on Nov 10, with revenues estimated at $20.74 million.The company acquired global S-Band spectrum rights for $64.5 million to boost network reach.High operating costs and macro pressures could weigh on AST SpaceMobile's near-term margins.AST SpaceMobile (ASTS) is scheduled to report third-quarter 2025 earnings on Nov 10, 2025, after market closes. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for revenues and earnings is pegged at $20.74 million and a loss of 18 cents per ...
AT&T vs. AST SpaceMobile: Which Connectivity Stock Should You Bet On?
ZACKS· 2025-10-23 16:20
Core Insights - AT&T Inc. and AST SpaceMobile, Inc. are significant players in the mobile and wireless connectivity sector, each with unique strengths in their respective fields [1][2] AT&T Overview - AT&T is one of the largest wireless service providers in North America, offering a wide range of communication and business solutions, including wireless, broadband, and cloud-based services [1] - The company is experiencing positive momentum in its postpaid wireless business, characterized by a lower churn rate and increased adoption of higher-tier unlimited plans [4] - AT&T is focused on enhancing its mobile 5G, fixed wireless, and edge computing services to drive growth, utilizing Ericsson technology for Open RAN deployment [4][5] - Collaborations with TransUnion and Microsoft aim to improve customer experiences and enhance productivity through cloud integration [5] - Despite these efforts, AT&T faces challenges such as a nationwide wireless service outage that impacted customer trust and intense competition from Verizon and T-Mobile [6] AST SpaceMobile Overview - AST SpaceMobile is developing the first global cellular broadband network in space, accessible via standard smartphones, utilizing a constellation of satellites in low Earth orbit [2][7] - The company has launched its first five commercial satellites, which feature the largest commercial communications arrays, and plans to deploy 45 to 60 satellites by Q1 2026 [7] - AST SpaceMobile's service aims to fill cellular coverage gaps, partnering with major carriers like AT&T and Verizon to enhance coverage in the U.S. [9] - The company holds a diverse portfolio of over 3,650 patents related to its satellite ecosystem [7] Competitive Dynamics - AT&T's growth is driven by 5G upgrades and improved wireless services, while AST SpaceMobile is advancing with its Bluebird satellites [8] - AT&T's valuation metrics are more attractive compared to AST SpaceMobile, which has a significantly higher price/sales ratio [15] - Despite AST SpaceMobile's sharper revenue growth, AT&T's solid subscriber momentum and extensive network modernizations position it favorably in the market [18] Financial Estimates - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for AT&T's 2025 sales indicates a year-over-year growth of 2.2%, while EPS is expected to decline by 8.8% [11] - In contrast, AST SpaceMobile's 2025 sales are projected to grow by 1,120%, but its EPS is expected to decline by 39.4% [12] Price Performance - Over the past year, AT&T's stock has increased by 15.1%, while AST SpaceMobile has seen a remarkable gain of 184.6% [14] - AT&T is considered a better investment option due to its more attractive valuation metrics and solid subscriber growth [18]
AST SpaceMobile Trades at a Premium: Time to be Cautious?
ZACKS· 2025-07-09 17:31
Company Overview - AST SpaceMobile (ASTS) has successfully deployed its initial set of five commercial satellites named Bluebird in low earth orbit, featuring over 5,600 cells within the premium low-band spectrum [1] - The company plans to launch its next generation of commercial "Block 2 BlueBird (BB) satellites" in the second half of 2025, which will include communication arrays of up to 2,400 square feet [1] Financial Performance - AST SpaceMobile trades at a forward price-to-sales ratio of 67.86, significantly higher than the industry average, indicating a premium valuation that may warrant caution among investors [2] - The company's research and development costs surged by 67.6% during the first quarter of 2025, contributing to margin pressure in a volatile macroeconomic environment [5][9] - Earnings estimates for 2025 have increased by 3.85% to a projected loss of $1, while estimates for 2026 have decreased by 9.76% to a loss of 90 cents [10] Competitive Landscape - ASTS operates in a highly competitive mobile satellite services market, facing competition from established players like SpaceX's Starlink and Globalstar, which are also developing satellite communications technology using LEO constellations [6] - Globalstar, a key competitor, trades at a forward price-to-sales ratio of 11.79, while Viasat, Inc. (VSAT) is investing in its ViaSat-3 broadband communications platform and trades at a forward price-to-sales ratio of 0.44 [6][7] Market Performance - Over the past year, shares of AST SpaceMobile have increased by 262.8%, outperforming the industry's growth of 37.7% [8]
ASTS vs. IRDM: Which Satellite Connectivity Stock Should You Bet on?
ZACKS· 2025-06-17 15:45
Core Insights - AST SpaceMobile and Iridium Communications are leading providers in satellite communications, with AST SpaceMobile focusing on a global cellular broadband network accessible via standard smartphones, while Iridium offers dedicated global voice and data services through a large constellation of satellites [1][2][3] Company Overview - AST SpaceMobile is developing the first global cellular broadband network in space, utilizing a constellation of high-powered satellites in low Earth orbit (LEO) to provide service in areas lacking terrestrial coverage [1][4] - Iridium operates a mesh architecture of 66 operational LEO satellites, providing global voice and data communications services, minimizing the need for ground infrastructure [2][3] Competitive Dynamics - Both companies aim to eliminate dead zones and provide connectivity in underserved areas, but they face competition from industry leaders like SpaceX's Starlink and Globalstar [3][6] - AST SpaceMobile has deployed five commercial satellites, offering service across the U.S. with a significant patent portfolio, while Iridium's architecture allows for a robust global service [4][7] Financial Performance - AST SpaceMobile's stock has increased by 268% over the past year, while Iridium's stock rose by 14.6%, with the industry average growth at 35% [7][14] - AST SpaceMobile expects a staggering 1314.6% sales growth in 2025, contrasting with Iridium's more modest 5.4% growth projection [7][11] Valuation Metrics - Iridium is considered more attractively valued, trading at 3.57 times forward sales compared to AST SpaceMobile's 68.13 times [15][17] - Despite AST SpaceMobile's higher growth expectations, Iridium's steady revenue and EPS growth make it a more stable investment option [17] Future Outlook - Iridium anticipates significant revenue from its Satellite Time and Location business, projected to exceed $100 million annually by 2030, while AST SpaceMobile continues to innovate to maintain competitiveness [8][9] - Both companies are expected to improve their sales in 2025, but Iridium's consistent performance positions it favorably in the market [17]
ASTS Declines 15.6% in the Past 3 Months: Reason to Worry?
ZACKS· 2025-06-03 14:06
Core Insights - AST SpaceMobile, Inc. (ASTS) has experienced a significant decline of 15.6% in stock price over the past three months, underperforming the industry growth of 2.8% and rivals like Aviat Networks, Inc. (AVNW) and Comtech Telecommunications Corp. (CMTL) [1][5] - The company's disappointing first-quarter 2025 results, which missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate for both adjusted earnings and revenues, have contributed to its poor performance [3][5] - Macroeconomic challenges such as rising inflation, higher interest rates, and geopolitical conflicts are negatively impacting ASTS's operations and financial performance [3][5] Financial Performance - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for ASTS has widened significantly, with projected losses of 87 cents and 78 cents per share for 2025 and 2026, respectively, reflecting a 10.1% and 116.7% increase in loss estimates over the past 60 days [6] - The estimate revision trend shows a negative outlook, with revisions of -11.76% for Q1 and -116.67% for F2, indicating growing skepticism about the company's growth potential [7][6] Technological Advancements - ASTS is pioneering a space-based cellular broadband network with its direct-to-cell technology, supported by a portfolio of over 3,650 patent and patent-pending claims [8][9] - The company has launched five Bluebird satellites, which feature the largest commercial communications arrays, aimed at providing non-continuous service across the U.S. [9][10] Strategic Partnerships - ASTS has formed partnerships with major carriers like AT&T and Verizon to enhance its satellite network and customer reach [11][12] - The collaboration with AT&T includes a commercial agreement extending until 2030, aimed at integrating space-based technology with AT&T's mobile network [11] - Verizon's $100 million commitment for satellite direct-to-cell service further strengthens ASTS's market position and enhances cellular coverage in the U.S. [12][13] Future Outlook - The successful deployment of Bluebird satellites is expected to transform network connectivity and bridge the digital divide, enhancing ASTS's capabilities in providing widespread connectivity [14] - Despite the potential, ASTS currently holds a Zacks Rank 3 (Hold), indicating a cautious approach for new investors due to the recent downtrend in estimate revisions and underperformance compared to peers [15]
AST SpaceMobile(ASTS) - 2024 Q4 - Earnings Call Transcript
2025-03-05 01:16
Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - In Q4 2024, non-GAAP adjusted cash operating expenses were $40.8 million, down from $45.3 million in Q3 2024, primarily due to a $9.3 million reduction in R&D costs [39][41] - For the full year 2024, non-GAAP adjusted cash operating expenses totaled $151.8 million compared to $154.6 million in 2023 [41] - Capital expenditures in Q4 2024 were approximately $86 million, significantly up from $26.5 million in Q3 2024, driven by Block 2 Bluebird satellite production [42] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company has agreements with approximately 50 mobile network operators globally, representing nearly three billion existing subscribers [9][31] - The first five Bluebird satellites are operational, demonstrating capabilities for voice, text, data, and video calling [23][24] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company is expanding its manufacturing footprint to support increased production, with facilities in Midland, Texas, Barcelona, Spain, and Compton, Florida [16][34] - The company anticipates launching up to 60 Block 2 Bluebird satellites during 2025 and 2026, with a target of six satellites per month by the second half of 2025 [17][38] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company aims to leverage its extensive IP portfolio of over 3,500 patents to enhance connectivity and expand its partner ecosystem [7][8] - A new $43 million contract with the US Space Development Agency highlights the company's focus on government contracts and dual-use technology [12][28] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the company's position as a technology leader in the satellite communication industry, emphasizing the importance of connecting unconnected populations [6][26] - The company expects to see significant growth opportunities in both commercial and government sectors, driven by its unique technology and partnerships [31][32] Other Important Information - The company completed a $460 million convertible senior note offering, resulting in nearly $1 billion in cash on its balance sheet [13][46] - The company received special temporary authority from the FCC to commence service with AT&T and Verizon, enabling testing with unmodified smartphones [20] Q&A Session Summary Question: When does AST SpaceMobile, Inc. expect to reach the sixth Bluebird per month manufacturing target? - The company believes it will reach a rate of six satellites per month by the second half of the year, supported by expanded manufacturing facilities [52][54] Question: What do the current satellites in orbit do for the company besides testing? - The satellites are fully operational, demonstrating broadband capabilities, and the government is starting to test them for various applications [55][57] Question: Are you planning to expand beyond the current launch agreements with SpaceX, Blue Origin, and ISRO? - The company has designed its satellites to be launch vehicle agnostic and is open to using other launch providers in the future [59][61] Question: What are the remaining risks to full authorization from the FCC for operating a commercial constellation? - The company is in the final stages of the process for commercial modification of its existing license and is rolling out a beta service for scale testing [64][65] Question: How many MNO subscribers could be addressed by the new Satco joint venture with Vodafone? - The partnership with Vodafone opens up access to approximately 600 million subscribers across Europe, significantly expanding the company's market potential [69][70] Question: Can you provide more detail on the $43 million contract with the SDA? - This contract is for non-communications applications and is expected to be recognized over the next twelve months as services are delivered [75][78] Question: How does your technology differ from T-Mobile and Starlink's offerings? - The company's service provides full voice, text, data, and video capabilities, unlike T-Mobile and Starlink's initial messaging service [84][88] Question: What is the expected cost per satellite? - The cost per satellite remains in the range of $19 million to $21 million [102]