Brazil’s vast geography has long made mobile coverage a challenge, particularly along highways and in agricultural regions. AST SpaceMobile is moving closer to addressing those gaps with a satellite network designed to deliver cellular broadband directly to ordinary smartphones, without requiring specialized satellite handsets. The company has secured regulatory approval for 30 MHz of S-band spectrum in Brazil, alongside authorization for secondary use of frequencies in the 700 MHz band. Agreements with four regional mobile operators and plans for new ground infrastructure will support the next stage of deployment. For eeNews Europ e readers, the development illustrates how satellite networks could extend existing 4G and 5G services beyond terrestrial coverage. It also highlights the importance of spectrum access and ground network integration in making direct-to-device satellite connectivity commercially viable. Combining S-Band and 700 MHz Spectrum Brazil’s telecommunications regulator, Anatel, has authorized AST SpaceMobile to use 15+15 MHz of S-band spectrum, providing a total of 30 MHz for its planned service. The company has also reached agreements with four regional mobile network operators following regulatory approval for secondary use of spectrum in the 700 MHz band. These arrangements provide access to up to 10+10 MHz within the operators’ respective licensed areas. Together, the two frequency resources could support voice calls, broadband data, and video streaming directly on standard, unmodified smartphones. The approach is intended to complement existing mobile networks rather than replace them. AST SpaceMobile plans to work with operators to extend their services into areas where building conventional cellular infrastructure remains difficult. Four Gateways to Connect Satellites and Mobile Networks Spectrum authorization is only one part of the deployment. AST SpaceMobile is also planning four ground gateways in Brazil to connect its BlueBird satellites with terrestrial telecommunications networks. The gateways will handle the exchange of voice, video, and broadband data between the satellite constellation and participating mobile operators. This infrastructure will be essential for integrating satellite connectivity into existing cellular services. Planning for deployment and network integration is underway, although the company has not announced a commercial launch date. The scale of Brazil’s coverage gaps explains the interest. According to assessments cited by AST SpaceMobile, approximately half of the country’s federal and state highway network and two-thirds of its land available for agricultural use lack 4G or 5G coverage. Building Toward Nationwide Satellite Coverage “Brazil’s ambition for connectivity matches the scale of the country,” said Abel Avellan, founder, chairman, and CEO of AST SpaceMobile. The four regional agreements add to the company’s existing operator relationships in Brazil. Globally, AST SpaceMobile reports partnerships with more than 60 mobile network operators serving over three billion subscribers. Its longer-term objective is to provide a satellite-based extension to conventional cellular networks, allowing customers to remain connected when terrestrial coverage is unavailable. However, service availability will depend on satellite capacity, gateway deployment, network integration, additional applicable authorizations, device compatibility, and commercial arrangements. With spectrum approvals in place and ground infrastructure being planned, AST SpaceMobile has taken another step toward bringing direct-to-smartphone satellite broadband to one of the world’s largest mobile markets. The post AST SpaceMobile Secures Spectrum in Brazil appeared first on eeNews Europe .