SpaceX plans to become a major US mobile carrier

SpaceX has agreed to buy low-band radio spectrum to expand Starlink, The Verge reported on October 17, 2026. The publication sees the deal as a step toward becoming a major US mobile carrier—not the launch of a nationwide network.

Why SpaceX needs a ground network

Walter Piecyk, a LightShed Partners analyst, is not a SpaceX spokesperson. Speaking on the Decoder podcast, he explained that connecting satellites to smartphones is harder than connecting them to rooftop dishes, especially indoors. In his view, SpaceX will need both satellites and ground-based cell sites.

Piecyk sees the low-band spectrum purchase as preparation for that ground network: its signals travel farther, helping extend coverage.

In September 2025, TechCrunch reported a separate agreement to buy EchoStar spectrum for $17 billion, split equally between cash and stock. That deal was intended to develop Direct to Cell, which connects satellites directly to smartphones.

What it could mean for customers

Piecyk believes satellites could improve service not just in remote areas, but also in suburbs with coverage gaps. That is his assessment of a future network’s potential, not a test result.

SpaceX would still need coverage where it lacks infrastructure. Piecyk suggests roaming—connecting customers through other carriers’ networks—as a possible option, but notes its high cost. Building a full network, he stresses, will take time.