SpaceX plans to turn Starlink into major US mobile carrier

SpaceX announced plans on Thursday to transform its Starlink satellite constellation into a major mobile carrier in the United States. The Washington Examiner, Bloomberg, and PCMag UK all reported on the company's announcement. The move aims to directly compete with existing legacy wireless carriers Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile. [1][3][4]

To advance the wireless service, SpaceX struck a deal to acquire nationwide low-band spectrum, according to the Washington Examiner. The outlet reported that this spectrum will allow Starlink satellite signals to pass through walls and other physical obstacles. On Wednesday, ISPreview UK reported that SpaceX had also been granted approval to launch 15,000 low Earth orbit satellites for Starlink Mobile. [1][5]

The expansion follows recent criticism from SpaceX chief executive Elon Musk regarding international markets. UPI reported that Musk accused Indian telecom firms of using a near monopoly to block Starlink satellite broadband in India. Musk stated on Wednesday that industry figures were working to deny consumers cheaper options to protect their market share. [2]

Starlink is a telecommunications subsidiary of SpaceX that provides broadband internet across roughly 160 countries and territories. SpaceX began launching the satellites in 2019 and had approximately 10,413 satellites in low Earth orbit by June 2026. Separately, SpaceX has called for better orbital coordination after reporting near-misses with other satellite operators, according to reports by Business Insider and Ars Technica. [6][7][9]