SpaceX to Launch the First Space Based Cell Tower

SpaceX to launch AST SpaceMobile's first space-based cell towers. So much to unpack here. So many questions.

So SpaceX is currently engaged to have up to three launches of these giant space cellular antennas from AST SpaceMobile. On the surface it appears SpaceX is launching satellites for what seems to be a competing product for their Starlink service. AST SpaceMobile's goal is to directly connect "unmodified mobile phones to the internet through satellite[s] in orbit." Sounds like Starlink would be akin to your home broadband connection and AST SpaceMobile would be akin to your cellular internet. 

AST's BlueBirds giant space antennas in theory would be able to "reach 700 million unconnected people." But the satellites will be in LEO (Low Earth Orbit) not synchronous orbit - so many satellites will be necessary for the service to be effective (like how Starlink plans to have 12,000 satellites in orbit). And why would those 700 million unconnected people have cell phones in the first place?

Call me skeptical.