From The Verge · Emma Roth · · 2m
SpaceX's bid to become a major US mobile carrier
SpaceX is building a hybrid satellite and terrestrial 5G network to compete directly with AT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile.
In brief
SpaceX is building a hybrid satellite and terrestrial 5G network to compete directly with AT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile. SpaceX is pursuing a major push to become a US mobile carrier, combining its satellite constellation with terrestrial 5G infrastructure and potentially acquiring Boost Mobile to launch the service…
SpaceX declares major carrier ambitions
SpaceX has declared it will make Starlink Mobile a major mobile carrier. The company has already deployed thousands of direct-to-cell satellites and now plans to build out a terrestrial 5G network.
Qualcomm partnership announced
SpaceX has inked a deal with Qualcomm to deploy its cellular technology across tens of thousands of five G cell sites starting in twenty twenty-seven.
Boost Mobile acquisition in talks
SpaceX is reportedly in talks to buy Boost Mobile, potentially allowing it to launch Starlink Mobile through the budget-friendly service. Elon Musk discussed the deal with Boost Mobile's parent company EchoStar.
Massive cell tower network planned
SpaceX may tap into eighty thousand cell sites across the US to build out its network. The company is in talks with Crown Castle Inc., one of the nation's largest cell tower owners.
Spectrum acquisition secured
SpaceX acquired a portfolio of low-band spectrum licenses including up to fourteen megahertz of paired spectrum in the eight hundred megahertz band. This will allow Starlink Mobile's signal to penetrate through walls and buildings.
Hybrid network strategy explained
SpaceX plans to combine its satellite-to-mobile constellation with a terrestrial mobile network. SpaceX president Gwynne Shotwell said the company will build out terrestrial components to offer a true mobile service.
“You will have not only the capacity from the satellites themselves, but you will have a buildout of the terrestrial.”
Direct competition with big three
SpaceX aims to compete directly with T-Mobile, AT&T and Verizon. The company intends to acquire quite a few customers now subscribed to these three carriers.
Cost concerns raised by rival
Tim Höttges, CEO of T-Mobile's parent company Deutsche Telekom, said he takes SpaceX's plans super serious but that it could cost Musk more than two hundred billion dollars to pull off.
“I take SpaceX's plans super serious”
Regulatory approval still pending
SpaceX's plans depend on Federal Communications Commission approval of its spectrum acquisition. Once approved, the company will deploy its new architecture combining satellites with terrestrial mobile network infrastructure.
The big picture
SpaceX is pursuing a major push to become a US mobile carrier, combining its satellite constellation with terrestrial 5G infrastructure and potentially acquiring Boost Mobile to launch the service.
