Abel Avellan is shaking up the space world, and he’s not doing it quietly. While Elon Musk’s SpaceX and Jeff Bezos’ Project Kuiper are battling it out to bring internet from satellites to people on Earth, Avellan has jumped into the ring with a wild idea of its own internet straight from space right to your regular smartphone. No extra gadgets, no satellite dishes, just your phone and a clear view of the sky.
His company, AST SpaceMobile, is making this happen with giant space antennas that can connect directly to phones anywhere on the planet. It sounds like science fiction, but it’s already starting to work. AST SpaceMobile’s launch of five satellites with large 700-square-foot antennas marks a bold move in the satellite industry, aiming to challenge SpaceX’s Starlink despite being labeled a “meme stock.” Their technology, partnerships, and ambitions suggest a potential for growth, but the path to outperforming SpaceX remains uncertain. This competition highlights the dynamic and evolving nature of space-based communications, with significant implications for global connectivity.
What makes this so exciting is that Avellan isn’t a billionaire like Musk or Bezos. He doesn’t have rockets or a huge space empire. He has a bold plan, the knowledge and a mission to change how we access the internet. While the tech giants build massive projects with all the money in the world, Avellan’s team is quietly launching giant satellites, as big as basketball courts, that are already proving they can send 4G and 5G signals right to smartphones. That means fast internet could soon be available even in the most remote corners of the globe, without needing towers or cables.
Picture someone deep in a jungle, on a boat in the middle of the ocean, or hiking in the mountains, able to use their phone just like someone in New York or London. That’s the kind of future Avellan is building. He’s not just closing the gap between the connected and unconnected, he’s erasing the gap. This isn’t just a fight over technology; it’s a fight for fairness and access for everyone, everywhere.
“The goal is to keep cellphones connected when out of range of a tower. You’d be able to make calls even when hiking in a remote area or from a boat miles offshore. Until recently, that required expensive satellite phones with special hardware. Our vision is to provide connectivity without disadvantage to wherever people are located,” says Avellan.
What makes this moment truly special is that we’re witnessing a real-life space story where the little guy dares to dream just as big, maybe even bigger than the giants. Abel Avellan isn’t waiting for permission or playing by the old rules or traditional norms, he’s building a new future where no one gets left behind, no matter where they live. His vision means that kids in remote villages can take online classes, farmers can check weather reports in real time, families can stay connected even across deserts or islands, and small businesses can finally tap into global markets, all with just a phone in their hands. It’s a reminder that true innovation doesn’t always come from the top; it often comes from those brave enough to believe in something better and actually go for it, no matter how daunting it may be. As his satellites quietly float above us, working hard to break down barriers, Avellan is proving that you don’t need to be the richest man on Earth to aim for the stars, you just need a mission & cause worth fighting for, and the courage to chase it.
