Early Life
Abel Avellan was born in Venezuela and is a naturalized U.S. citizen. He studied engineering at Simón Bolívar University in Venezuela, where he developed a strong foundation in science and technology.
Rise to Success
Avellan's career began in the satellite communications industry, where he gained expertise in global connectivity and network infrastructure. He founded Emerging Markets Communications (EMC) in 1999, which provided satellite communication services to various sectors, including the U.S. Department of Defense and the United Nations. EMC grew to become a leading satellite services company before being sold to Global Eagle Entertainment in 2016 for $550 million. After the sale, Avellan served as President & Chief Strategy Officer at Global Eagle Entertainment until April 2017. In 2017, he founded AST SpaceMobile, Inc., with the goal of creating a space-based broadband system capable of delivering mobile connectivity directly to standard cell phones anywhere on Earth.
Key Business Strategies
AST SpaceMobile focuses on building a space-based cellular broadband network that works directly with unmodified smartphones. The company aims to eliminate coverage gaps worldwide, offering 2G, 3G, 4G, and 5G connections. Avellan's strategy includes partnerships with major telecom companies like Verizon, AT&T, and Vodafone. The company's headquarters and primary manufacturing facilities are located in Midland, Texas. AST SpaceMobile is using large antennas to provide global coverage with fewer satellites than competitors like SpaceX's Starlink.
Philanthropy
As of December 16, 2025, no specific philanthropic initiatives or amounts are readily available in the provided search results.