TAMPA, Fla. — AST SpaceMobile’s shares jumped more than 8% Oct. 8 after Verizon joined AT&T in signing a definitive agreement to use its planned space-based cellular network, easing investor concerns about SpaceX’s aggressive push into the fledgling direct-to-device (D2D) market.

The deal enables Verizon to provide D2D connectivity to its customers from some point in 2026, building on a strategic partnership announced in May 2024 that included plans for a $100 million investment in AST .

AST signed a similar definitive revenue-sharing agreement with AT&T earlier that same month. Both carriers plan to contribute spectrum in the 850 megahertz band, which AST’s satellites would pool to directly connect to subscriber phones in the United States where their cell towers can’t reach.

The A

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