New York, Feb 10, 2026, 15:01 (EST) — Regular session
- AST SpaceMobile shares fell roughly 4% in afternoon trading, underperforming a tech sector that remained mostly flat
- Japan’s NTT Docomo plans to launch its satellite-to-phone service in early fiscal 2026, with a clear eye on rivals and pricing strategies.
- Traders are eyeing AST’s BlueBird 7 launch window in late February as the next major catalyst
AST SpaceMobile (ASTS.O) saw its shares slip 4.3% to $97.75 during Tuesday afternoon trading, fluctuating between $96.04 and $102.73 earlier in the session. This pullback occurred while the Nasdaq-100 tracking ETF, Invesco QQQ, dipped roughly 0.2%.
The stock now serves as a high-volatility stand-in for “direct-to-cell” technology — connecting regular smartphones directly to satellites when there’s no cell tower coverage. Investors are eager to find out if initial launches and deals with operators will turn into a paying customer base, rather than just a proof of concept.
More competition emerged Monday as Japan’s NTT Docomo announced plans to launch a service in early fiscal 2026 allowing phones to connect directly to satellites. The initial rollout will support text messaging and data use within select apps, targeting remote locations and disaster scenarios. Docomo promised to reveal details on partners, pricing, coverage, and compatible devices and apps at a later date.
A Light Reading report highlighted Japan’s saturated satellite-to-phone market, pointing out that KDDI, NTT Docomo, and SoftBank have all teamed up with Starlink, whereas Rakuten Mobile chose AST SpaceMobile. It also raised concerns about monetization, quoting Juniper Research analyst Alex Webb, who said subscription-based direct-to-cell “will remain a niche market over the next five years.” Light Reading
Other satellite-communications stocks held their ground. Iridium Communications dipped 1.1%, while Globalstar edged down 0.4% in afternoon trading.
AST is aiming for its next big step with BlueBird 7, set to fly late February on Blue Origin’s New Glenn-3 mission. In a Jan. 22 statement, President Scott Wisniewski highlighted that this launch “moves us closer to delivering a new layer of cellular broadband connectivity,” as the company pushes toward commercial services in 2026. Business Wire
AST is banking on building a sizable low-Earth-orbit constellation and offering access via mobile-network operators instead of selling directly to consumers. This approach positions the company to play a key role in an evolving landscape of carrier bundles, disaster backup solutions, and premium extras.
The downside is clear. Launch timelines might slip, coverage promises still have to be verified in orbit, and carriers could balk at paying top dollar for a service that begins with limited speeds and features. Plus, increased competition might drive prices down before the market really takes off.
Traders will be closely tracking the speed at which operators transition from announcements to finalizing commercial terms — and whether they position direct-to-cell as a standalone paid option or just an emergency add-on included in more expensive plans.
AST’s shares are set for a key moment with the BlueBird 7 launch slated for late February. Any shift in that schedule could send shockwaves through the stock.
