SpaceX is another step closer to becoming a full-fledged mobile carrier in the United States, announcing a new wireless spectrum deal that could eventually put Starlink in direct competition with the likes of Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile.
The announcement follows reports in June that SpaceX was preparing to launch its own consumer mobile service, moving beyond its current partnerships with existing wireless providers.
On Thursday, SpaceX announced an agreement to acquire a nationwide portfolio of low-band spectrum licenses, covering up to 14MHz of paired spectrum in the 800MHz band.
The acquisition addresses one of the biggest challenges facing Starlink Mobile – providing reliable connectivity indoors. Unlike higher-frequency signals, low-band spectrum can travel farther and penetrate walls more effectively, SpaceX explained.
Pending final FCC approval, SpaceX plans to combine its satellite network with terrestrial cellular infrastructure, allowing Starlink Mobile to provide coverage indoors, outdoors, and in areas currently without cellular service.
The announcement comes alongside another major milestone.
The FCC has approved SpaceX’s next-generation Starlink Mobile constellation, authorizing the launch of 15,000 satellites optimized for direct-to-device connectivity.
According to SpaceX, its new V2 satellites will deliver more than 100 times the bandwidth of the current generation, bringing high-speed connectivity directly to ordinary smartphones.
The announcement also appeared to rattle the competitors, with shares of Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile falling around 7% in after-hours trading following SpaceX’s announcement, highlighting the potential for Starlink Mobile to disrupt the U.S. wireless market.
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