ANTS VS. VSAT: Which satellite stock has the advantage in mobile broadband? – July 17, 2025

AST Spacemobile, Inc. ((ARTS trick quoteAuts – – Free report) and Viasat, Inc. ((Vsat fast offerVsat – – Free report) are two leading communication service providers who focus on expanding broadband access via satellites. The AST-Spacemobile builds the first and only global cellular broadband network in the world in space, which is accessible directly from standard smartphones (4G-LTE/5G devices) for the use of commercial and state use and uses its extensive intellectual property and the patent portfolio. The spacemobile service takes place by a constellation of high-ranking, large phased array satellites in low Earth conversion (Leo) using spectra with low ribbons and medium volume, which are controlled by mobile network operators (MNOS) in areas, in areas in which terrestrical network coverage is missing.

Viasat runs a fleet of geo satellites (geostationary) to ensure high-speed internet access with high capacity, especially in areas where traditional terrestrial broadband service is not available. With an expansive field of vision, improved satellite productivity and flexible bandwidth economy, the GEO satellites offer solutions for various sectors such as aviation, maritime, defense and companies, including IoT applications.

Let us immerse yourself a little deeper into the competitive dynamics of companies to understand which of the two is relatively better built in the industry.

The case for AST Spacemobile

AST Spacemobile used its first five commercial satellites (called Bluebird) in Leo and made an important progress in the development of a spatial infrastructure for mobile phone networks. These satellites have the largest commercial communication arrays that extend over 693 square meters. They offer non-continuous service in the USA by using more than 5,600 cells within the premium spectrum with a low band. The company has a diverse portfolio of more than 3,650 patents and patent adjustments worldwide for the direct satellite ecosystem from space to earth.

The Spacemobile service is compatible with all important brands and connects directly to everyday mobile phones. It is based on a new technology that offers broadband connectivity from space to unmodified mobile devices and offers service to close the mobile functions in a differentiated approach compared to other spatial communication services. The AST spacemobile has teamed up with leading airlines like AT&T Inc. ((T fast quoteT – – Free report) and Verizon Communications Inc. ((VZ fast quoteVZ – – Free report) to use an existing pool of cell customers and to receive funds to create a global satellite network. This has improved the mobile phone coverage in the United States, eliminated significantly dead zones and empowered distant areas of the country with space -based connectivity.

However, the unfavorable macroeconomic conditions, including increasing inflation, higher interest rates, volatility of the capital market, the introduction of tariff and geopolitical conflicts, have a negative impact on the company's business activities. These have led to continued fluctuations in satellite material prices, which led to increased capital costs and pressure on the company's financial performance. In addition, AST Spacemobile is confronted by existing and new industry leaders such as SpaceXs Starlink and Globalstar, which develop satellite communication technology using Leo constellations. In order to combat this competitive pressure, AUTS must continuously adjust its network offers, improve the cost efficiency of its products and services and increase the satellite data networks, which increases the operating costs and reduces margins.

The case for Viasat

Viasat increases investments in the development of its revolutionary Viasat-3 broadband communication platform, which will have almost ten times the bandwidth capacity of Viasat-2. These satellites will be able to cover a third of the world, including all of America. The second Viasat-3 will cover the region of Europe, the Middle East and Africa. The Viasat-3 platform will help to form a global broadband network with sufficient network capacity in order to enable a better selection of consumers with an affordable, high-quality, high-speed internet and video streaming service. In short, Viasat has won enough economics and scope to serve huge emerging countries in South America, Africa, the Middle East and West Asia. Therefore, the important market traction of Viasat 1 and Viasat 2 satellites in connection with strategically planned Viasat 3 satellites is likely to offer the company a solid competitive advantage over its colleagues.

Viasat's satellite service business is doing well with important metrics, including ARPU (average sales per user) and income that show impressive growth. Arpu grows on the back of a solid retail distribution network that makes up an increasing proportion of a high -quality and highly bound subscription base. In addition, the growing introduction of Wi-Fi services in flight in trading aircraft proves to be beneficial for business growth. The impressive bandwidth productivity of Viasat distinguishes it from conventional satellite providers and lower satellite providers that are operated on incumbent business models. Viasat has a competitive advantage in the bandwidth economy, global reporting, flexibility and bandwidth assignment, which believes that the mobile broadband will act as a winning bar with a significant improvement in the income from escape (IFC).

However, Viasat works in a dynamic and competitive market, since it continuously adjusts its network offer according to customer needs, improve the cost efficiency of its products and services and increase satellite data networks. The increased competition leads to price reductions, reduced margins and market shares, which harms the operating results. The Viasat satellite business is influenced by seasonal demand due to traditional sales periods in retail. In addition, a highly complex technology increases the company risks. For example, problems that are associated with the power subsystems, control subsystems and the deterioration or unforeseen anomalies in space can represent material threats to profitability.

How compares Zacks estimates for ARTS & VSAT?

The Zacks Consensus estimate for the sales of AST Spacemobile from 2025 implies growth of 1314.6%compared to the previous year, while that of EPS indicates a decrease of 51.5%. The EPS estimates trends south in the last 60 days.

Image source: Zacks Investment Research

The Zacks Consensus estimate for the sales of Viasat 2025 implies a growth of 2.7%compared to the previous year, during which a decrease of 181.2%indicates EPS. The EPS estimates trends south in the last 60 days.

Image source: Zacks Investment Research

Price performance and evaluation of ARTS & VSAT

Last year, the AST spacemobile increased 32.2% of 325.1% compared to the growth of the industry. The Viasat has dropped by 4.2% in the same period.

Image source: Zacks Investment Research

From the perspective of the reviews, Viasat looks more attractive than the AST spacemobile. Due to the price/sales quota, the stocks of Viasat currently act with 0.43 forward sales, which are significantly lower than the 76.3 of AST Spacemobile.

Image source: Zacks Investment Research

ANTS or VSAT: Which is a better choice?

AST Spacemobile wears a Zack's rank # 4 (sale), while Viasat bears a Zacks rank 5 (strong sale).

You can see The full list of today's Zacks #1 rank (Strong Buy) protocols here.

Both companies expect their sales to improve in 2025. Viasat has shown relatively steady sales growth for years, while AST was faced with spacemobile on a bumpy road. Ast spacemobile has exceeded Viasat in terms of price performance. With the expectations of long-term profit growth of 26.8%, the AST Spacemobile is relatively better placed despite less attractive evaluation meters than viasat.