ScienceNewsSpaceSpaceX announces plan to become a ‘major mobile carrier’SpaceX snapped up low-band spectrum in a bid to take on T-Mobile, AT&T, and Verizon.SpaceX snapped up low-band spectrum in a bid to take on T-Mobile, AT&T, and Verizon.by Emma RothOct 8, 2026, 9:23 PM UTCShareGiftImage: Cath Virginia / The Verge, Getty ImagesEmma Roth is a news writer who covers the streaming wars, consumer tech, crypto, social media, and much more. Previously, she was a writer and editor at MUO.SpaceX has acquired a portfolio of low-band spectrum licenses — a move the company says “will pave the way” for its Starlink Mobile service to become a “major” US carrier. When the Federal Communications Commission signs off on the deal, SpaceX says it will deploy its new architecture that combines its satellite-to-mobile constellation with a terrestrial mobile network, directly competing with T-Mobile, AT&T, and Verizon.The licenses include up to 14 megahertz of paired spectrum in the 800 MHz band, which SpaceX says will allow Starlink Mobile’s signal to penetrate through walls and buildings. SpaceX previously acquired 2GHz spectrum from EchoStar as part of efforts to bolster its direct-to-device service.RelatedSpaceX is coming for T-Mobile, AT&T and VerizonThe FCC has also approved plans to deploy 15,000 V2 Starlink Mobile satellites that will offer more than 100 times the bandwidth than the current generation, according to SpaceX. “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,” SpaceX says. “One network that provides Americans with a reliable service indoors, outdoors, in cellular dead zones, and everywhere in between.”Follow topics and authors from this story to see more like this in your personalized homepage feed and to receive email updates.Emma RothNewsScienceSpaceSpaceXMost PopularGTA VI leaks continue with a lengthy (and very nude) gameplay videoAnthropic bans ‘abusive or cruel behavior’ toward ClaudeGoogle invests millions in Mark Zuckerberg’s efforts to create a ‘virtual cell’Apple announces surprise ‘Welcome home’ launch eventTeenage Engineering’s CEO says it’ll stop making synthsAdvertiser Content FromThis is the title for the native ad
