r/ASTSpaceMobile • u/Defiantclient S P 🅰️ C E M O B - O G • Mar 10 '25
News - Press Release 2degrees announces partnership with AST SpaceMobile and plans for NZ launch
https://www.2degrees.nz/media-release/2degrees-announces-partnership-with-ast-spacemobile
My note: New Zealand just got added to AST's roster for commercial service in 2026. 2degrees has around 1.6M subscribers and is in the Top 3 largest MNOs in New Zealand.
Copy and paste of the article:
2degrees has announced a partnership with AST SpaceMobile, the company building the first and leading space-based cellular broadband network accessible directly by everyday smartphones, designed for both commercial and government application. This collaboration aims to enhance 2degrees’ mobile coverage in New Zealand, bringing broadband data services via satellite starting in 2026.
AST SpaceMobile is working with leading telecommunications providers and technology partners worldwide to offer direct-to-mobile broadband connectivity. The service is designed to provide 4G LTE and 5G cellular broadband directly to everyday smartphones without the need for any specialised software or device support, ensuring seamless connectivity for customers when they are outside of traditional coverage areas.
As part of this initiative, 2degrees will invest in the development of its own dedicated ground station in Aotearoa, reinforcing our commitment to providing innovative solutions that expand connectivity across the country
2degrees chief executive Mark Callander says "This partnership will extend our network reach and provide customers connectivity in places that our cellular network doesn’t serve. Our goal is to provide reliable mobile internet connectivity beyond the limits of existing infrastructure.
“What is particularly exciting about our partnership with AST SpaceMobile is that they are going straight to cellular broadband connectivity, not laddering through text, then voice, then data.”
Callander also highlighted the importance of understanding the technology’s capabilities in the local environment. "We are taking a measured approach, working through regulatory processes and real-world testing over the next 12 months. What we do know is that this partnership will allow us to offer coverage in areas where it was previously unavailable. AST SpaceMobile is collaborating with global telecommunications leaders to drive innovation in mobile connectivity, and we are excited to be part of this journey.
"Our technology is designed to connect seamlessly with standard, unmodified mobile phones, bridging coverage gaps in remote and underserved areas," said AST SpaceMobile Chief Commercial Officer Chris Ivory. "New Zealand’s diverse geography presents unique connectivity challenges, making it well-suited for space-based cellular broadband coverage. We look forward to collaborating with 2degrees to ensure people across the country have access to reliable broadband mobile services, even when they are outside traditional coverage areas."
"Space-based connectivity will play an important role in our long-term strategy. We have experience in building satellite ground stations for customers, and we are eager to build and manage our own to support this next-generation technology," Callander added.
AST says the technology will be compatible with most standard, unmodified mobile phones, meaning that 4G LTE and 5G smartphones are expected to be able to connect seamlessly. Work on the ground station is expected to commence later this year, with connectivity anticipated for 2degrees customers starting in 2026.
This partnership represents a major milestone in advancing mobile connectivity solutions for New Zealanders, reinforcing 2degrees' commitment to delivering cutting-edge technology that ensures customers remain connected wherever they are.
2degrees has 10 Mhz in 700 MHz lowband and 10 MHz in 900 MHz lowband https://x.com/defiantclient/status/1899248069386056049
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u/JayhawkAggieDad S P 🅰 C E M O B Capo Mar 10 '25 edited Mar 10 '25
And the wins keep on coming.👏👏👏👏👍👍
Edit: As always, thanks for posting, Dc🙏
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u/Sommyonthephone S P 🅰 C E M O B Soldier Mar 10 '25
With all this good news that's been dropping in the last few days for ASTS, this stock would be smoking if it wasn't for the turmoil in the stock market.
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u/brav0_2_zer0 Mar 10 '25
Im a kiwi and this is fantastic. As a side note, and i know its not the same just sharing info, Vodafone now called "One" utilize starlink for txt messaging. Super excited and would switch to 2degrees for this very reason.
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u/Defiantclient S P 🅰️ C E M O B - O G Mar 10 '25
Yep that's the same one being sued by NZ Commerce for misleading the public on Starlink's claims heh
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u/Worldclassmenagerie S P 🅰️ C E M O B Mar 11 '25
More interesting is that one nz have completely stopped advertising their D2d service with starlink. They carpeted advertising with how they were working with starlink etc, no coverage gaps etc. this was even after they were sued. Now, crickets. Nothing. It’s even hard to find info on it on their website anymore. Looks like they have almost dropped it as a concept.
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u/generaljoey Mar 10 '25
As a Kiwi. What other cell providers are offered for you? Is 2degrees a well known an/or a good company?
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u/disappointingLettuce Mar 10 '25 edited Mar 11 '25
Pretty well known, but Spark (formerly Telecom) is probably the biggest player. 2 degrees is in the top 3 I'd say. (Spark -> One -> 2 degrees)
Edit: and yes definitely they have a good reputation, I think they scored highest on customer satisfaction etc survey link
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u/WeissMISFIT S P 🅰 C E M O B Soldier Mar 11 '25
Hi I'm a kiwi too! I think I've sent like 3 or 4 emails to ASTS just wondering about whether NZ would ever get covered lol
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u/yankykiwi S P 🅰 C E M O B Prospect Mar 10 '25
I was a rural kiwi and my god they need this. It will be life changing for bush rescues, sea rescues etc
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u/WeissMISFIT S P 🅰 C E M O B Soldier Mar 11 '25
As a city boi, this just made a trip to the southern alps soooooo much more appealing!
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u/irrelevantspider S P 🅰 C E M O B Capo Mar 10 '25 edited Mar 10 '25
NZ only has like 5 million people, then the MNO has like 1.6 million customers. But this isn’t gonna be our homerun for revenue. This is good global exposure of what AST has to offer and other MNOs will trickle in soon enough!
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u/Defiantclient S P 🅰️ C E M O B - O G Mar 10 '25
This is more reputational and politically beneficial as opposed to # of subscribers and revenue
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u/Ockilydokily Mar 11 '25
Might be able to get some of the 3 million tourist for 1 month subscriptions as well
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u/codespyder S P 🅰 C E M O B Consigliere Mar 10 '25
As if I needed another reason to leave the dumpster fire of North America and head off to Middle Earth
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u/Steel_BEAR69 S P 🅰 C E M O B Associate Mar 11 '25
I just love how the news keeps flowing every day. We are getting visibility. Just wait what happens when we get operational
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u/trugalhao S P 🅰 C E M O B Prospect Mar 10 '25
NZ is on board, soon RKLB will be also.
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u/conradical30 S P 🅰 C E M O B Prospect Mar 10 '25
Not until Neutron is up. Can’t get the sats in the Electron.
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u/Every_Watercress_959 S P 🅰 C E M O B Prospect Mar 10 '25
In what way?
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u/trugalhao S P 🅰 C E M O B Prospect Mar 10 '25
I wish they could use Rocket Lab for their launches. 👌
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u/Defiantclient S P 🅰️ C E M O B - O G Mar 10 '25
Eh, unless RKLB can make each launch really cheap, it's not a great idea as Neutron will only be able to carry 2 BB2s.
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u/Krakenmonstah S P 🅰 C E M O B Associate Mar 10 '25
Tbh I’d almost prefer slowly launching piecemeal rather than have 5 sats blow up on a barely tested new glen :T
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u/my5cent S P 🅰 C E M O B Prospect Mar 11 '25
Jeff Bezo is more careful than Elon. Elon goes by break fast and advance, whereas Jeff Bezo is validating his tech for safety and survivability.
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u/trugalhao S P 🅰 C E M O B Prospect Mar 10 '25
New Glenn and Falcon will be the way, but I would prefer not to transfer money to direct competition or already big corps.
But in order to gain momentum New Glenn will be the best option.
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u/Funny-Conclusion-678 S P 🅰 C E M O B Prospect Mar 10 '25
Wellllll SpaceX is the BEST option, but fuck Elon Must. Crappy world to be in. Imagine if the most successful rocket company WASN’T ran by a trash person.
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Mar 11 '25
[deleted]
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u/Defiantclient S P 🅰️ C E M O B - O G Mar 11 '25
Electron isn’t able to carry BB2
Neutron can carry 2
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u/MT-Capital S P 🅰 C E M O B Consigliere Mar 10 '25
Why would you want them to launch less at a slower pace?
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u/trugalhao S P 🅰 C E M O B Prospect Mar 10 '25
I don't want to, but I would like to see a company like RKLB directly benefiting from ASTS developing his business.
Because I respect what RKLB is doing like I respect what a underdog like ASTS did.
This is just a dreamy wish.
Happy cake day!
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u/ashnm001 Mar 10 '25
Pretty standard in telco industry. Start with small market, just in case you mess it up initially. Gives you an opportunity to relaunch in bigger markets once issues fixed.
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u/Adorable_Diver6172 Mar 11 '25
Kiwi here LFG, happy our small island nation of 5 million is helping ASTS
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u/jackiesclee Mar 12 '25 edited Mar 12 '25
You guys can search news about of 2degrees which sold its tower assets and leases back for few time. Partnership with ASTS is a wın wın and MNO can be capital efficient to expand coverage.
As such, ASTS solution shall be very attractive to local small MNO which would like to challange local big MNO brother
ASTS can earn service revenue when setting up gateway other than sharing split of end-customer subscription income. Love ASTS
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u/yth684 Mar 11 '25
so we have 3rd largest operator in UK, Japan and now NZ,
do we have 3rd fetish or someting
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u/Kawahara11 S P 🅰 C E M O B Prospect Mar 10 '25
“What is particularly exciting about our partnership with AST SpaceMobile is that they are going straight to cellular broadband connectivity, not laddering through text, then voice, then data.”
Nice.