ASTSparticipants
- Scott Wisniewski - Chief Strategy Officer
- Abel Avellan - Founder, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
- Sean Wallace - Chief Financial Officer
Business Highlights
1. Successful completion of the first-ever direct voice connection from BlueWalker 3 test satellite to everyday smartphones:
AST SpaceMobile achieved a major milestone in the first quarter of 2023 by successfully completing the first-ever direct voice connection from its BlueWalker 3 test satellite to everyday smartphones. This achievement validates the company's system architecture and confirms its ability to integrate with the existing wireless ecosystem, including spectrum. The successful first call also confirmed that the technology works with everyday smartphones, without requiring any special frequencies, app, or chipsets.
2. On target for a Q1 2024 launch of its next five Block 1 satellites:
The company is on target for a Q1 2024 launch of its next five Block 1 satellites. The company's technology roadmap is designed to be a stage, and as it builds and designs new advanced satellite architecture, it continuously improves both its unit cost or cost per gigabit delivered to end-users and the capacity that it can deliver into the network. The company's recent equity raise in the fourth quarter was completed following the successful launch of BlueWalker 3 and the subsequent unfolding of its large-scale array.
Financial Status:
1. Non-GAAP adjusted operating expenses for Q1 2023 were $40.3 million:
The company's non-GAAP adjusted operating expenses for Q1 2023 were $40.3 million, and its capital expenditures were $13 million.
2. Total capital expenditures for its five Block 1 satellites are expected to be between $100 million to $110 million:
The company's total capital expenditures for its five Block 1 satellites are expected to be between $100 million to $110 million. As of the end of the first quarter, the company had $185.7 million in cash on hand, which it believes is sufficient to support its expenditures for at least the next 12 months.
Overall, AST SpaceMobile has made significant progress in its mission to build the first and only global cellular broadband network in space to operate directly with everyday unmodified mobile devices. The successful completion of the first-ever direct voice connection from its BlueWalker 3 test satellite to everyday smartphones certifies its leading position in the market. The company is on track to launch its next five Block 1 satellites in Q1 2024, and its non-GAAP adjusted operating expenses for Q1 2023 were $40.3 million. The company's total capital expenditures for its five Block 1 satellites are expected to be between $100 million to $110 million, and it had $185.7 million in cash on hand as of the end of the first quarter, which it believes is sufficient to support its expenditures for at least the next 12 months.
Question and Answer
AST SpaceMobile, a space-based cellular broadband network provider, held its Q1 2023 earnings call, where the company's presenters discussed the company's performance and future plans. The company's CEO, Abel Avellan, highlighted the company's lead in the D2D market, being the first and only space-based cellular broadband system, holding over 2600 patents and patent-pending claims, and operating the largest communication array in low earth orbit for commercial use. The company has approximately 40 wireless operators around the world on preliminary agreements and agreements of understanding, and the relationships continue to accelerate as the company meets its technical milestones. The company's system works with the phone in the user's pocket to support access to over 5 billion phones in circulation today. The company is deeply invested in vertical integration, owning its own ASIC development software and manufacturing the majority of its satellite parts.
The company's CFO, Sean Wallace, discussed the upcoming FCC milestones that investors should look out for, including the rulemaking process specifically for cellular connectivity from space and the standalone space bureau that has been put in place to review space applications. The company has taken important steps on two different regulatory processes with the FCC, including filing a spectrum lease agreement with AT&T and submitting comments for the ongoing rulemaking process for supplemental coverage from space.
The company's Chief Strategy Officer, Scott Wisniewski, discussed the ongoing discussions with launch service providers and the launch schedule for the Block 1 satellites, which are set to launch on a dedicated SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket in the first quarter of 2024. The company is in active discussions with a variety of operators who have enough capacity and manifest openings to support the company's plans. The company has also developed a configuration that makes its Block 2 design compatible with multiple launch vehicles.
During the Q&A session, the company's CEO discussed the test results of BlueWalker 3, which included the initial deployment, initial flight optimization, and the initial broadcasting of cellular signals. The company estimates that it will take three to four months to activate for commercial service post-launch separation, including the in-orbit acceptance test of the spacecraft and the initial fine-tune of the system prior to starting utilizing the service interacting directly with end-users. The company's CEO also discussed the company's ASICs, which are nearing completion and will be used for the Block 2s, which are going to be larger and with the company's ASICs, giving the company a ten times capacity improvement compared to the current satellites in construction Block 1s.
Overall, the company's presenters provided updates on the company's performance and future plans, highlighting the company's lead in the D2D market, ongoing discussions with launch service providers, and upcoming FCC milestones. The company's test results of BlueWalker 3 and the nearing completion of its ASICs were also discussed. Investors' main interests, including the launch schedule of 4G/5G service, test results of BlueWalker 3, cash amount to accomplish to build service, and the detail of technology, were addressed during the call.
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