SpaceX has declared its intention to make Starlink Mobile a “major” mobile carrier, aiming to compete directly with established US providers T-Mobile, AT&T, and Verizon. To achieve this, the company plans to build a terrestrial mobile network that combines its existing direct-to-cell satellite constellation with ground-based hardware and systems.
To build this infrastructure, SpaceX has entered into a multi-year deal with Qualcomm. Under the agreement, SpaceX will deploy Qualcomm’s Dragonwing technology across “tens of thousands” of 5G cell sites in the US, with the first deployments scheduled to begin in 2027.
The company is also pursuing several strategic moves to secure network access. According to a report from Bloomberg, SpaceX is in talks to access at least 80,000 cell sites. Sources told Bloomberg that SpaceX is in discussions with Crown Castle Inc., one of the largest cell tower owners in the nation. Reuters reports that such a move would provide SpaceX with access to half of the 158,500 cell towers currently operational in the US. When asked about potential partnerships with SpaceX or other satellite services during a Wednesday earnings call, Crown Castle CEO Chris Hillabrant stated, “I don’t think I want to get into customer-specific detail, but you can assume that we’re talking to all parties.”
SpaceX is also reportedly exploring an acquisition of Boost Mobile to launch its service through the budget-friendly carrier. The Washington Post reported that Elon Musk discussed a potential agreement with Charlie Ergen, chairman of EchoStar (the parent company of Boost Mobile), last month. Because Boost Mobile’s network is currently powered by T-Mobile and AT&T, SpaceX may require permission from those two carriers to launch its service.
To support these ambitions, SpaceX recently agreed to purchase a large portion of low-band spectrum that has been traded in the telecom industry for decades. SpaceX stated this acquisition “will pave the way” for Starlink Mobile to become a “major” US carrier. The licenses include up to 14 megahertz of paired spectrum in the 800 MHz band, which SpaceX says will allow the signal to penetrate through buildings and walls. The company previously acquired 2GHz spectrum from EchoStar to bolster its direct-to-device service.
