---
title: "The SpaceX IPO Put a Spotlight on Starlink -- and on the One Public Company Building a Rival Direct-to-Phone Network"
type: "News"
locale: "en"
url: "https://longbridge.com/en/news/291033697.md"
description: "SpaceX's IPO highlights Starlink Mobile as a direct-to-phone competitor, spotlighting AST SpaceMobile (ASTS) as the leading public pure-play in this sector. AST aims to connect unmodified smartphones via satellite, targeting 45-60 satellites by end-2026 and securing $1.2B in commitments. Unlike SpaceX's integrated model, AST partners with terrestrial carriers. Other players include Globalstar and Viasat."
datetime: "2026-06-27T12:11:42.000Z"
locales:
  - [zh-CN](https://longbridge.com/zh-CN/news/291033697.md)
  - [en](https://longbridge.com/en/news/291033697.md)
  - [zh-HK](https://longbridge.com/zh-HK/news/291033697.md)
generator: "portal-rs"
---

# The SpaceX IPO Put a Spotlight on Starlink -- and on the One Public Company Building a Rival Direct-to-Phone Network

Commercial Space Series SpaceX recently made headlines by announcing its plans to go public, highlighting Starlink Mobile as a potential competitor in the wireless industry. AST SpaceMobile, listed on NASDAQ as ASTS, is a major player vying for a share of the direct-to-device satellite-broadband market. This move positions SpaceX as a key contender in the evolving space-based communications sector, with significant implications for the industry.

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---
> **Disclaimer: This article is for reference only and does not constitute any investment advice.**