AST SpaceMobile (NASDAQ: ASTS) announced that Deutsche Telekom, Orange, Telefónica and Vodafone have signed a Letter of Intent to explore a potential joint bid for Mobile Satellite Services spectrum in Europe, as the company works to advance space-based cellular broadband service readiness across the region.

The four operators, described as Europe's largest mobile network operators, are exploring a coordinated approach to spectrum access and service deployment. The collaboration is intended to accelerate network integration and extend coverage to areas without reliable mobile connectivity across a market with over 500 million mobile subscribers.

AST SpaceMobile is providing European-operated ground infrastructure through its existing joint venture, Satellite Connect Europe, which links its BlueBird satellites to mobile operators' core networks. The company said data handling and service control are designed to remain within European jurisdiction under the arrangement.

"Our role is to support our partners with the satellite technology, spectrum capabilities and ground infrastructure needed to deliver cellular broadband directly to the phones people already use," said Wayne Thorsen, Chief Commercial Officer of AST SpaceMobile.

The company's BlueBird satellites connect directly to standard, unmodified smartphones. AST SpaceMobile said it has demonstrated peak download speeds of 98.9 Mbps, with next-generation satellites expected to reach peak data rates approaching 200 Mbps. The company holds 3,900 patent and patent-pending claims.

AST SpaceMobile's satellite technology can tune across approximately 1,150 MHz of mobile network operator partners' low- and mid-band spectrum globally. Combined with the company's S-band priority rights, the setup is designed to support expanded coverage and capacity in European markets, subject to applicable regulatory authorizations.