On May 14, 2026, AST SpaceMobile published a statement commending AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon’s proposed joint venture to extend mobile connectivity using satellite-based direct-to-device technologies. The release is a same-day, company-specific news item tied directly to the U.S. carrier D2D landscape.

Because ASTS is positioned as a direct-to-device satellite connectivity provider, new coordinated initiatives by the three largest U.S. carriers can shift expectations around how quickly D2D service scales, who the carriers choose as technology partners, and what competitive structure emerges. Even without a signed commercial agreement disclosed in the statement, the headline can move sentiment by signaling heightened strategic activity around D2D in the U.S.

Key next steps include whether the carrier JV discloses specific technology partners and network architecture, whether ASTS is formally included (or explicitly excluded), and whether follow-on regulatory actions or spectrum-related decisions accompany the JV’s rollout plan.