---
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)
---

# 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.

### Related Stocks

- [SPCX.US](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/SPCX.US.md)
- [VCX.US](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/VCX.US.md)
- [RKLB.US](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/RKLB.US.md)
- [VSAT.US](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/VSAT.US.md)
- [ASTS.US](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/ASTS.US.md)
- [PL.US](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/PL.US.md)
- [DXYZ.US](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/DXYZ.US.md)
- [GSAT.US](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/GSAT.US.md)
- [SATS.US](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/SATS.US.md)
- [159241.CN](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/159241.CN.md)
- [159227.CN](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/159227.CN.md)
- [ARKX.US](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/ARKX.US.md)
- [563380.CN](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/563380.CN.md)
- [XAR.US](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/XAR.US.md)
- [ASTX.US](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/ASTX.US.md)
- [ITA.US](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/ITA.US.md)
- [512810.CN](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/512810.CN.md)
- [PPA.US](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/PPA.US.md)
- [SPCH.US](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/SPCH.US.md)
- [SPCF.US](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/SPCF.US.md)
- [SPAL.US](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/SPAL.US.md)
- [SNK.US](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/SNK.US.md)
- [SSPC.US](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/SSPC.US.md)
- [SPCU.US](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/SPCU.US.md)
- [LOFF.US](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/LOFF.US.md)
- [RKLX.US](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/RKLX.US.md)
- [RKLZ.US](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/RKLZ.US.md)
- [ASUP.US](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/ASUP.US.md)
- [ASTN.US](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/ASTN.US.md)
- [PLU.US](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/PLU.US.md)

## Related News & Research

- [AT&T won't need to worry about SpaceX for 'years,' analyst says](https://longbridge.com/en/news/293652573.md)
- ['Don't Expect More Miracles,' Says Investor About SpaceX Stock](https://longbridge.com/en/news/293529763.md)
- ['Buy' SpaceX Stock as Its AI Opportunity Is 'Virtually for Free,' Says Top Analyst](https://longbridge.com/en/news/293480358.md)
- [SpaceX lockup expiry: Morgan Stanley believes 'largely unchanged' fundamentals create attractive entry point at current levels](https://longbridge.com/en/news/293785215.md)
- [SpaceX Stock Falls To Record Low, But One Analyst Sees it Hitting $800](https://longbridge.com/en/news/293150803.md)