SpaceX IPO Speculation Puts TMUS Satellite Partner AST SpaceMobile in Focus

What happened

Renewed speculation around a potential SpaceX initial public offering has drawn comparisons to AST SpaceMobile, a satellite-to-cellular provider with an existing commercial partnership with T-Mobile US (TMUS). AST SpaceMobile and T-Mobile have an agreement to deliver broadband connectivity directly to standard mobile devices via low-Earth-orbit satellites. A SpaceX IPO, if it proceeds, would introduce a direct-to-device satellite competitor with substantially greater launch capacity and an established constellation.