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Related Parties
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2023
Related Party Transactions [Abstract]  
Related Parties
14.
Related Parties

Vodafone

AST LLC and Vodafone have agreed to enter into one or more definitive agreements for a commercial partnership that is anticipated to use the SpaceMobile Service (the “Vodafone Commercial Agreements”). In connection with the commercial agreement, AST LLC, its subsidiaries, and affiliates have agreed not to enter into any agreement, term sheet, or letter of intent that grants another party the rights related to the provision of mobile services in the Vodafone markets or Vodafone partner markets prior to the execution of the Vodafone Commercial Agreements.

The Vodafone Commercial Agreements are to include mutual exclusivity, conditioned upon Vodafone making the SpaceMobile Service available to all of its customers and certain promotional efforts, within all Vodafone markets for five years commencing on the launch of a commercial service in all of the Vodafone markets; preferential commercial terms in Vodafone partner markets; 50/50 revenue share for the SpaceMobile Service in Vodafone exclusivity markets; and the procurement, building and operating of mobile network ground stations at a mutually agreed cost by Vodafone. No payments have been made to date between us and Vodafone pursuant to the anticipated Vodafone Commercial Agreements. Vodafone has the right to designate one individual to the Board of Directors. Currently, Vodafone's designee is Luke Ibbetson, Head of Group Research & Development, Vodafone.

Also, AST LLC entered into a side letter with Vodafone dated December 15, 2020, under which AST LLC has agreed (i) not to enter into any material corporate strategic relationship or material commercial agreement with a party other than Vodafone and its affiliates that would be reasonably expected to materially frustrate AST LLC's ability to satisfy the obligations under the Vodafone Commercial Agreements with certain exceptions, (ii) to allocate sufficient funds in the capital budget to facilitate compliance with the obligations under the Vodafone Commercial Agreements; and (iii) not to alter the business plan in a manner that is materially detrimental to AST LLC’s ability to satisfy the obligations under the Vodafone Commercial Agreements.

American Tower

AST LLC and American Tower have entered into a side letter agreement that was subsequently amended and restated on December 15, 2020 to reflect the transactions and agreements contemplated by the Equity Purchase Agreement between AST LLC and NPA (the “Amended and Restated Letter Agreement”). The Amended and Restated Letter Agreement contemplates that AST LLC and American Tower will enter into commercial agreements to use American Tower facilities for the terrestrial gateway facilities in certain markets. The term of the operational agreement between us and American Tower is for an anticipated five years after the initial launch of commercial mobile services by AST LLC.

 

On March 22, 2022, AST LLC and American Tower entered into a non-binding term sheet reflecting the terms and conditions for the deployment of our gateway satellite technology equipment on property owned and operated by American Tower. Under the agreement, American Tower will provide AST LLC leased space and managed services at its current and future tower sites and data centers under the global master lease agreement to be entered into by the parties.

The usage of any American Tower services in a Vodafone market will be memorialized in a commercial agreement among all three parties. In markets where Vodafone does not operate (“Carrier Neutral Markets”), we and American Tower may enter into an agreement for American Tower to manage the operation of our deployed gateway facility in such market. In Carrier Neutral Markets where we require a third party to provide a gateway facility or services, we agree to not accept any bid that is inferior to American Tower’s best and final proposal for such gateway facility or services. We also agree to use commercially reasonable efforts to utilize American Tower facilities in (i) Vodafone markets where Vodafone decides to not use its facilities, (ii) in Carrier Neutral Markets, and (iii) instances where we require a third-party vendor.

Additionally, AST LLC will work with American Tower to evaluate and plan gateway facility and radio access network data center deployments with preferred vendor status to offer carrier-neutral hosting facilities in certain equatorial markets. American Tower will serve as the preferred vendor for carrier neutral hosting facilities. AST LLC will pay American Tower a monthly connection fee for use of a carrier neutral hosting facility, which will be charged back to each applicable mobile network operator. If AST LLC and American Tower agree to construct a new carrier neutral hosting facility or improve an existing one and American Tower elects to fund all such capital expenditures, American Tower will provide AST LLC with a fair-market, long-term lease to such facility. No payments have been made to date between AST LLC and American Tower under the Amended and Restated Letter Agreement. American Tower has the right to designate one individual to the Board of Directors. Currently, American Tower's designee is Ed Knapp, Chief Technology Officer, American Tower.

Rakuten

On February 4, 2020, AST LLC entered into a commercial agreement with Rakuten, for the development of exclusive network capabilities in Japan compatible with the mobile network of Rakuten and its affiliates, which agreement was amended and restated as of December 15, 2020 (the “Rakuten Agreement”). Under the terms of the Rakuten Agreement, AST LLC agreed to make investments in building network capabilities in Japan that are compatible with the mobile network of Rakuten and its affiliates. Furthermore, AST LLC will collaborate with Rakuten to ensure network capability with Rakuten’s licensed frequencies, including full coverage in Japan with 3GPP Band 3 frequencies with multiple input multiple output (“MIMO”) capability. Upon the launch of such coverage, Rakuten will receive unlimited, exclusive rights and usage capacity in Japan in exchange for a $0.5 million annual maintenance fee payable to AST LLC or our successors. Furthermore, AST LLC will make $5.0 million (or such lesser amount as mutually agreed upon the parties) in capital investments towards the design, assembly, acquisition and implementation of ground communication assets. AST LLC and Rakuten will receive unlimited rights and usage of the ground assets for their respective operations, including, but not limited to, satellite and other telecommunication communications. Rakuten has the right to designate two individuals to the Company’s Board of Directors. Currently, Rakuten’s designees are Hiroshi Mikitani, Founder, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Rakuten, Inc., and Tareq Amin, Chief Executive Officer, Rakuten Mobile.

 

The Rakuten Agreement includes key performance indicators (“KPIs”) associated with the number of satellites launched, timing and coverage of the SpaceMobile Service in Japan in a phased manner that AST LLC must meet. If the applicable KPIs are not met for the last two phases noted in the Rakuten Agreement by June 2023, or if AST LLC become subject to any bankruptcy proceeding or becomes insolvent, AST LLC shall pay to Rakuten an amount of $10.0 million. If the Company is unable to make such payment, the amount shall convert into a promissory note with 8.0% interest per annum payable in 12 quarterly installments over a three year term, which can be prepaid at AST LLC’s election. The term of the Rakuten Agreement shall remain in effect until AST LLC fulfills obligations under the Rakuten Agreement.

As of the date of this filing, AST LLC does not expect to meet the applicable KPIs stated in the Rakuten Agreement by June 2023 and is required to pay $10.0 million on June 30, 2023. Accordingly, the Company has recognized an estimated liability of $10.0 million, which is included in Other income (expense), net in the unaudited condensed consolidated statement of operations and Accrued expenses and other current liabilities in the unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheet. No payments have been made to date between AST LLC and Rakuten under the Rakuten Agreement.

 

Support Services Agreement

On January 20, 2020, the Company entered into the Support Services Agreement with Finser Corporation (“Finser”), which is part of the Cisneros Group of Companies, of which Ms. Adriana Cisneros, a member of the Company’s Board of Directors, is the Chief Executive Officer, whereby Finser provided the Company with certain consulting and administrative support services. The Company incurred less than $0.1 million in consulting services for the three months ended March 31, 2022, which were included within the general and administrative expenses in the unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations. The agreement terminated on June 30, 2022.

 

InMotion Holdings LLC

 

Prior to the sale of Nano, InMotion Holdings, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“InMotion”) wholly-owned by the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board, Mr. Avellan, owned 13% interest on a fully-diluted basis of Nano. Pursuant to the terms of the Share Sale and Purchase Agreement, InMotion received approximately €8.0 million on account of the option it held to acquire shares of Nano. The Company does not have any ownership interest in InMotion and did not receive any of these proceeds. Following the sale of Nano, there are no transactions between the Company and InMotion.

 

Pursuant to the terms of a service agreement between Nano and InMotion dated March 1, 2018 (the “InMotion Services Agreement”), InMotion agreed to provide consulting services including but not limited to marketing, sale support and general management support to Nano. The Services Agreement was terminated upon completion of the Nano Share Sale and no payments were made under the InMotion Services Agreement.