AST SpaceMobile opens R&D lab in India

Details: Manny Pham; Category: Satellite Networks; 26 July 2023; 10129 views

Satellite communications company AST SpaceMobile opened an R&D facility to build space technology in India, as it identified the South Asian market for growth in mobile broadband connectivity.

The Economic Times(ET) reported the lab will be in the city of Hyderabad and led by new GM and VP of Global R&D services Narayana Pidugu.

The centre will develop next-generation hardware and software-related space technologies and operations

AST SpaceMobile chairman and CEO Abel Avellan told Economic Time, the company sees an opportunity to plug in coverage black spots in India over the next few years, with its service which will be exclusively through licensed operators on terrestrial spectrum.

He added the company worked with scientists and engineers in India and the hiring of Narayana in March showcases AST SpaceMobile’s trust in India, which apparently generates 1.5 million engineers annually.

The company is also looking to partner with financial backer Vodafone Group for India-focused projects, to eventually deliver satellite to phone services in more areas with connectivity gaps.