SpaceX reveals ambitions to establish itself as a leading mobile carrier.

SpaceX has secured a collection of low-band spectrum licenses, a strategic move that the company claims will set the stage for its Starlink Mobile service to emerge as a significant player in the US telecommunications market. Once the Federal Communications Commission approves the arrangement, SpaceX plans to roll out a new system that integrates its satellite-to-mobile constellation with a ground-based mobile network, positioning itself to compete directly with major carriers like T-Mobile, AT&T, and Verizon.

The licenses encompass up to 14 megahertz of paired spectrum in the 800 MHz band, which SpaceX asserts will enhance Starlink Mobile’s ability to deliver signals that can effectively penetrate walls and buildings. Previously, SpaceX had acquired 2GHz spectrum from EchoStar to strengthen its direct-to-device service capabilities.

Additionally, the FCC has greenlit plans for the deployment of 15,000 V2 Starlink Mobile satellites, promising over 100 times the bandwidth of the current generation, according to SpaceX. The company states, “With this new low-band spectrum and our Gen2 constellation, Starlink Mobile can now become the first network operator to deploy both satellite and terrestrial spectrum. One network that provides Americans with a reliable service indoors, outdoors, in cellular dead zones, and everywhere in between.”