AST SpaceMobile: Japan Files 136-Satellite Constellation at ITU

AST SpaceMobile ($ASTS) update: Japan files a 136-satellite constellation at the ITU as Europe's big carriers move to counter Starlink.

In this episode, Anpanman breaks down why sovereignty has become the defining theme for AST SpaceMobile and the broader satellite sector. He walks through Japan's MIC filing with the ITU for a 136-satellite 'J-Bluebird' constellation on behalf of the Rakuten and AST SpaceMobile joint venture, filed on September 4th, and explains how it ties into Japan's plans for a golden dome-style, multi-layer defense and communications network.

Anpanman also covers a Bloomberg report that Europe's top four carriers - Vodafone, Deutsche Telekom, Orange and Telefonica - are in talks to form a joint venture using AST SpaceMobile to counter Starlink for 2GHz MSS spectrum, alongside the UK's new $7.8 billion sovereign space initiative. He highlights Berenberg's initiation of coverage on ASTS stock, including a scenario where a T-Mobile deal could add $1.1 billion in EBITDA by 2030 and roughly $29 per share of value.

Rounding out the episode, Anpanman discusses board member Adriana Cesneros's open-market stock purchase, the status of Bluebird satellites 14 through 16 and the timing of the next launch, recent military contract awards, and shares his perspective on tuning out noise and trolls while holding conviction through drawdowns.

00:00 Introduction and Labor Day catch-up

01:38 Sovereignty becomes the episode's key theme

02:31 Japan's MIC files 136-satellite constellation at ITU

05:01 Japan's golden dome-style defense network

05:54 How Starlink's Ukraine on/off switch changed everything

07:36 The risk of relying on one vertically integrated company

08:56 Europe's big four MNOs and SatCo Europe

09:26 Deutsche Telekom joins as an AST testing partner

12:38 UK unveils $7.8 billion sovereign space initiative

15:36 Why Starlink and Amazon's architecture clashes with sovereignty

17:52 Inside the J-LEO federated constellation economics

21:34 Why Starlink Mobile was the best thing to happen to AST

27:26 Bloomberg: Europe's big four in talks on anti-Starlink venture

35:56 Berenberg initiates coverage and models $29/share T-Mobile upside

41:26 Board member Adriana Cesneros buys AST stock

44:16 Launch update: no September launch, October targeted

45:25 Upcoming MNO conference appearances this week

46:43 On trolls, noise, and holding conviction through drawdowns

1:03:49 Closing thoughts: direct-to-device becomes a necessity

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👋 Connect with the host on X: https://x.com/spacanpanman

👕 Get the Gear: https://spacemob.printify.me/

📩 AST SpaceMobile Podcast Newsletter: https://ast-spacemobile-podcast.beehiiv.com/

#astspacemobile #Sovereignty #Starlink