June 2026 FirstNet meeting link below. Interesting new slide from FN showing key performance indicators that they measure, with the first KPI being total US land area covered. Those familiar w/ Goodhart’s Law -when a measure becomes a target, it ceases to be a good measure - might think this could incentivize D2D investment to significantly "game" this KPI.
youtube.com/watch?v=p3Azndta…
Acknowledging I thought FN investment was coming 2 years ago, I think there is a possibility that the 8/2026 meeting, or a separate announcement shortly after this, could lead to FN investment in to
$ASTS. Thesis:
1) August meetings present the FY budget.
2) Rasheid Scarlett, head of the programs and future planning award, mentions the 2B FN budget increase which was recently announced after negotiation between ATT/Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick. Rasheid's department was asked to make a list of investment priorities and they are polling stakeholders to get consensus.
3) Most FN meetings show a slide of meetings w/ different public service agencies where D2D is often highlighted as a priority (see 2nd picture from this June meeting comment from Hawaii).
4) AST received full D2D supplemental coverage from space from the FCC, which was perhaps a roadblock for semi governmental investment by FN.
5) FN previously told us that they were going to invest in D2D in FY 25. As we near the end of FY26 (9/2026), without any realistic competing service that can use B14 low band, and with a bespoke collaborative video released 6 months ago, There Is No Alternative
x.com/FirstNet/status/199809…