SpaceX Secures Spectrum Licenses to Power Starlink Mobile Expansion
SpaceX is positioning itself to enter the crowded US mobile carrier market with Starlink Mobile. The company announced it has secured a portfolio of low-band spectrum licenses, which it says will "pave the way" for the service to become a "major" domestic carrier.
The acquired licenses include up to 14 megahertz of paired spectrum in the 800 MHz band. This frequency range is particularly valuable for mobile services because it offers better building penetration compared to higher-frequency alternatives, a key factor for reliable indoor coverage.
To deploy the service, SpaceX plans to combine its existing satellite-to-mobile constellation with a new terrestrial mobile network architecture. This hybrid approach would allow the company to offer connectivity both in areas where traditional cell towers reach and in remote regions that currently lack coverage—potentially giving it an advantage over conventional carriers.
The deal requires final approval from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). If cleared, SpaceX would enter direct competition with T-Mobile, AT&T, and Verizon in the US wireless market.
The company previously acquired 2 GHz spectrum, indicating a sustained effort to build out the spectrum holdings necessary for a viable mobile service offering.