AST SpaceMobile (NASDAQ: ASTS) reported second quarter 2026 results on August 10, falling short of Wall Street expectations despite significant operational progress in its satellite broadband network buildout.
The space-based cellular broadband provider posted revenue of $31.52 million for the quarter, coming in below the analyst consensus estimate of $34.98 million.
The company reported an adjusted loss per share of $0.77, missing the consensus estimate of $0.32 by $0.45, as heavy investment spending weighed on the bottom line.
Despite the earnings shortfall, revenue more than doubled on a sequential basis, climbing from approximately $15.8 million reported in the first quarter of 2026.
Adjusted operating expenses rose sharply to $119.1 million in the second quarter, compared to $91.2 million in the prior quarter, reflecting the company’s aggressive infrastructure buildout pace.
Capital expenditures surged to $610.4 million during the quarter, up dramatically from $256.8 million in Q1, as AST SpaceMobile accelerates satellite production and deployment activities.
The company now has 13 satellites in orbit and describes its network as “the first and only space-based cellular broadband network,” with BlueBird satellites 17 through 46 in various stages of production.
AST SpaceMobile highlighted partnerships with more than 60 mobile network operators covering over 3 billion subscribers globally, alongside a spectrum strategy targeting approximately 100 MHz access in the United States and 60-plus MHz globally.
The company’s revenue backlog expanded to $1.30 billion, representing more than 41 times the revenue actually recognized during the second quarter, providing significant forward visibility into future commercial opportunities.
Management maintained its full-year 2026 revenue guidance range of $150 million to $200 million, though the company must execute a substantial commercial ramp during the back half of the year to achieve that target.
The company’s next-generation Block 2 satellites are designed to deliver peak data speeds approaching 200 Mbps directly to standard, unmodified smartphones without requiring any hardware changes from consumers.
AST SpaceMobile’s current ratio of 18.47 indicates strong near-term liquidity, though sustained losses and heavy capital requirements will continue to pressure the company as it pushes toward full commercial service launch.
Shares fell 4.42 percent to $68.76 in regular trading following the earnings release and slipped an additional 1.76 percent in after-hours trading to $67.55.
