Head-to-Head Comparison
AST SpaceMobile vs SES mPOWER
Side-by-side comparison of speeds, latency, pricing, coverage, and hardware - updated 2026-03-28.
Data sourced from FCC filings, official specs, and independent speed tests. Upcoming provider specs are based on announced projections.
The Verdict
SES mPOWER is available now with proven real-world performance (100-500 Mbps download, 100-150ms latency), while AST SpaceMobile has not yet launched consumer service. SES mPOWER is the clear choice today if you need satellite internet now. AST SpaceMobile promises up to 120 Mbps but will need time to build out its constellation and prove reliability.
Satellite broadband direct to your phone
Max Speed
120 Mbps
Latency
20-40ms
From
TBD
Satellites
6
High-throughput MEO for enterprise
Max Speed
500 Mbps
Latency
100-150ms
From
TBD
Satellites
10
AST SpaceMobile vs SES mPOWER - Full Specs Comparison
| Spec | AST SpaceMobile | SES mPOWER |
|---|---|---|
| Download Speed | 10-120 Mbps | 100-500 Mbps Winner |
| Upload Speed | 2-10 Mbps | 20-100 Mbps Winner |
| Latency Lower is better | 20-40ms Winner | 100-150ms |
| Starting Price Lower is better | TBD | TBD |
| Data Caps | TBD | Unlimited |
| Equipment Cost Lower is better | Free Winner | TBD |
| Installation | Self-install Winner | Professional required |
| Portable | Yes Winner | No |
| Orbit Type | LEO | MEO |
| Constellation | 6 in orbit / 243 planned | 10 in orbit / 13 planned Winner |
| Countries Available | Not yet available | Not yet available |
| Status | Upcoming | Available now Winner |
Speed Comparison - AST SpaceMobile vs SES mPOWER
SES mPOWER offers faster download speeds at 100-500 Mbps compared to AST SpaceMobile's 10-120 Mbps. That is up to 4.2x faster at the high end.
Upload speeds: AST SpaceMobile 2-10 Mbps vs SES mPOWER 20-100 Mbps. Speeds are advertised ranges and vary by location, time of day, and congestion.
Latency Comparison - AST SpaceMobile vs SES mPOWER
AST SpaceMobile has significantly lower latency at 20-40ms vs SES mPOWER's 100-150ms - roughly 4.2x lower. This is primarily due to LEO vs MEO orbit differences.
Lower latency is better. Under 80ms is good for gaming. Under 300ms works for video calls. GEO satellites (35,786 km) have 600ms+ latency due to signal travel time. LEO satellites (550 km) achieve 20-60ms.
Pricing Comparison - AST SpaceMobile vs SES mPOWER
Neither provider has announced public consumer pricing. Both may be enterprise-only or still in pre-launch phase.
AST SpaceMobile Plans
No consumer plans announced
No equipment - uses existing smartphones
SES mPOWER Plans
Enterprise pricing - contact SES or partners
Coverage & Availability - AST SpaceMobile vs SES mPOWER
Neither provider is currently available for consumers. 6 BlueBird satellites in orbit (BB1-BB6). AT&T commercial service targeting H1 2026 for intermittent nationwide coverage; continuous coverage requires 45-60 sats (targeted end of 2026). TELUS Canada equity partnership (March 2026). Defense contracts: SHIELD IDIQ + SDA $30M award. $3.9B liquidity; $150-200M 2026 revenue guidance. 10 of 13 satellites operational (March 2026). Final 3 launching H2 2026. Covers ±50° latitude (96% of world population).
Hardware & Installation - AST SpaceMobile vs SES mPOWER
AST SpaceMobile offers self-installation while SES mPOWER requires a professional installer.
AST SpaceMobile
- Equipment
- Free
- Installation
- Self-install
- Portable
- Yes
No equipment - uses existing smartphones
SES mPOWER
- Equipment
- TBD
- Dish Type
- Multi-orbit antenna
- Installation
- Professional
- Portable
- No
Enterprise pricing - contact SES or partners
Pros & Cons
AST SpaceMobile
Advantages
- + No dish or special equipment - works with existing phones
- + Partnerships with AT&T, Vodafone, Rakuten
- + Next-gen BlueBirds support up to 120 Mbps per cell
- + Game-changer for dead zones and emergency connectivity
Limitations
- - Beta service not yet publicly available
- - Only 6 satellites in orbit - coverage is intermittent until 45-60 sats deployed
- - Lower speeds than dish-based services
- - Depends entirely on carrier partnerships for consumer access
SES mPOWER
Advantages
- + Lower latency than GEO (100–150ms) from MEO orbit
- + Extremely high throughput capacity
- + 10 of 13 satellites already operational
- + Proven enterprise customer base
Limitations
- - Enterprise-only - no consumer plans
- - Higher latency than LEO constellations
- - Small constellation (13 satellites)
- - Requires professional installation
Which Should You Choose? AST SpaceMobile vs SES mPOWER
Gaming
AST SpaceMobileAST SpaceMobile's 20-40ms latency supports gaming. SES mPOWER's 100-150ms is too high for real-time games.
Streaming
SES mPOWERSES mPOWER's 100-500 Mbps easily handles 4K streaming. AST SpaceMobile's lower range (10-120 Mbps) may struggle with multiple streams.
Budget
NeitherNeither provider has announced consumer pricing yet.
Rural / Remote
NeitherNeither provider is currently available for consumers. Check back as launch dates approach.
Business
SES mPOWERSES mPOWER offers dedicated business plans. AST SpaceMobile does not have specific business tiers.
Mobile / RV
AST SpaceMobileAST SpaceMobile supports portable use - great for RVs, boats, and travel. SES mPOWER requires a fixed installation.