AST SpaceMobile Stock Strengthened by U.S.-Japan Backing

AST SpaceMobile stock drew renewed investor attention after the U.S. State Department on Oct. 6, 2026, published a joint statement saying the United States and Japan welcomed cooperation between Rakuten Group and the company on low-Earth-orbit (LEO) satellite infrastructure, reinforcing coverage tied to a reported TELUS integration test.

U.S.-Japan Acknowledgment of Cooperation and Commercial Outlook

The U.S. State Department’s Oct. 6, 2026, “Joint Statement on the U.S.-Japan Technology Prosperity Deal” said both governments welcomed cooperation between Japan’s Rakuten Group and U.S.-based AST SpaceMobile on developing and deploying LEO satellite infrastructure. The statement referred to an Oct. 4 meeting in Kyoto where officials discussed the Technology Prosperity Deal. It is a diplomatic and policy acknowledgment, not an authorization, license, procurement award, or binding commercial contract.

Secondary reports said TELUS completed an integration test in Canada, delivering broadband, voice, and messaging from AST SpaceMobile satellites to ordinary smartphones. These reports also cited the company’s 2026 revenue guidance of $150 million to $200 million, noting that roughly $104 million to $154 million of second-half revenue would be needed to reach that range. The company is reportedly targeting about 45 satellites by early 2027.

Market and industry commentary have framed the State Department acknowledgment and the reported TELUS test as near-term catalysts for investor interest. However, commercialization and deployment risks remain as the program moves toward broader validation. The developments have focused attention on whether the company can meet its revenue guidance and satellite deployment targets.

“Both sides welcomed Japan’s Rakuten Group and the U.S.-based AST SpaceMobile cooperation for the development and deployment of Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite infrastructure,” the State Department said in its joint statement.