AST SpaceMobile installs four Brazilian gateways for 2027 D2D

AST SpaceMobile is targeting 2027 to expand its Direct-to-Device (D2D) service in Brazil. The company is currently installing four gateways across the country. According to company executive Luiz Abud, this ground infrastructure will enable nationwide coverage alongside upcoming satellite launches to reinforce its constellation.

Speaking on Wednesday, October 7, 2026, at the Futurecom 2026 conference in São Paulo, Abud stressed that 100% of the network's data traffic will remain inside Brazil, mirroring terrestrial networks. AST SpaceMobile plans to operate exclusively through partnerships with mobile operators, offering satellite connectivity as an add-on or bundled into premium mobile plans rather than selling directly to retail consumers.

During the same panel, Anatel superintendent Vinicius Caram noted that the telecommunications agency expects satellite coverage to complement existing cellular networks for messaging and voice without replacing them. Anatel is testing mobile spectrum bands including 700 MHz, 800 MHz, and 900 MHz in a regulatory sandbox. Caram confirmed that a formal request from an interested company is already under review, adding that some initiatives could emerge before 2027.