SpaceX aims to turn Starlink Mobile into a full carrier, targeting major US telcos

SpaceX disclosed that its Starlink Mobile will evolve into a standalone mobile carrier, with next-generation satellites slated for launch in 2027 and a commercial rollout before the end of that year. The upgrade will leverage 65 MHz of spectrum that the firm secured from EchoStar, promising performance up to 100 times better than today’s satellite backup service. President Gwynne Shotwell hinted that the enhanced offering could lure users from AT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile, naming the three as the primary competitors.

Currently, Starlink Mobile serves mainly as an emergency fallback, linking phones to space-based “cell towers” when ground networks fail, and partners with T-Mobile on a limited satellite-to-cell service. SpaceX also plans to build a terrestrial component, deploying low-cost, small base stations equipped with Starlink dishes, a strategy endorsed by CEO Elon Musk as a cheaper alternative to traditional large towers. The FCC recently approved the transfer of EchoStar’s spectrum to SpaceX, enabling these satellite, terrestrial, or hybrid uses.