GADGET
Starlink Mobile Aims to Become Fourth US Carrier
SpaceX is building out a 5G network from orbit, backed by billions in spectrum deals, to rival AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile.
theverge.comSpaceX has announced plans to establish Starlink Mobile as a major US wireless carrier, leveraging thousands of direct-to-cell satellites and newly approved spectrum. The company secured a collective $20 billion deal to acquire radio spectrum from Boost Mobile's parent EchoStar, which the FCC recently approved, alongside a new agreement with Qualcomm.
- Thousands of direct-to-cell satellites already deployed by SpaceX
- FCC approved SpaceX's acquisition of radio spectrum from Boost Mobile parent EchoStar, part of a $20 billion deal
- New Qualcomm deal secures global 2 GHz mid-band spectrum for high-bandwidth and low-band spectrum for wide coverage
- Aims to directly challenge AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile as the fourth major US wireless carrier
WHY THIS MATTERSWHY THIS MATTERS: If you're tired of paying standard oligopoly rates for spotty coverage, a satellite-backed fourth carrier could eventually shake up carrier pricing and dead zones. But before you ditch your current plan, SpaceX still has to successfully build out its terrestrial 5G network infrastructure here on Earth.