FCC Grants AST SpaceMobile Limited Use of the 70 cm Amateur Band (April 21, 2026)

[NC7C]

This is the biggest recent story. The FCC authorized AST SpaceMobile's full 248-satellite constellation to use parts of the radio spectrum, including the 430–440 MHz secondary amateur band. The grant permits limited use of five specific 50 kHz channels (430.5, 432.3, 434.1, 435.9, and 439.5 MHz) for emergency telemetry, tracking, and control — but only outside the United States and for durations of less than 24 hours. The FCC acknowledged significant opposition from the amateur radio community but stated that harmful interference to amateur operations is "extremely unlikely," and that AST is capable of ceasing transmissions if interference occurs

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