SpaceX explores Starlink mobile launch, could build its own US wireless network

SpaceX is considering taking its ambitions in telecommunications a step further by launching a Starlink-branded retail mobile service and potentially building its own terrestrial wireless network in the United States, according to a report by the Financial Times, citing people familiar with the matter.

The move, if pursued, would mark a significant expansion beyond the company's satellite broadband business and could place it in direct competition with some of America's largest wireless carriers. SpaceX has already entered the mobile connectivity space through its partnership with T-Mobile, which offers direct-to-cell satellite coverage designed to extend connectivity to areas where conventional mobile networks struggle to reach.

Spectrum acquisitions strengthen mobile ambitions

The report said SpaceX President Gwynne Shotwell discussed the company's plans with investors during a recent IPO roadshow. While no formal launch timeline has been announced, the discussions suggest the company is evaluating how Starlink could evolve into a consumer-facing mobile network.

A key piece of that strategy appears to be the wireless spectrum SpaceX secured through acquisitions from EchoStar. Last September, the company purchased spectrum licences worth around $17 billion for use with the Starlink satellite network. It followed that deal with another acquisition valued at roughly $2.6 billion in November, further strengthening its access to radio frequencies that could support direct-to-cell services.

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Those spectrum holdings are expected to allow SpaceX to rapidly develop a satellite-backed mobile offering while reducing its dependence on existing telecom infrastructure. By combining terrestrial spectrum with Starlink's low-Earth orbit satellite constellation, the company could offer broader coverage, particularly in underserved and remote regions.

Starlink's growth underpins SpaceX's valuation

The reported expansion comes as Starlink continues to emerge as the financial engine behind SpaceX. The satellite internet service has grown to more than 10 million subscribers globally, helping drive the company's record valuation alongside its dominant launch business.

Industry analysts have increasingly pointed to Starlink as one of the most disruptive forces in the communications sector. Earlier this month, brokerage firm Oppenheimer said the satellite broadband unit has the potential to reshape the $1.6 trillion US communications industry as it broadens its services and customer base.

SpaceX has already transformed the economics of launching satellites into orbit through reusable rockets. A successful move into retail mobile services would represent another strategic shift, allowing the company to compete not only in space but also in one of the world's largest and most competitive telecommunications markets.

Although the plans remain under consideration, the reported discussions highlight SpaceX's broader vision of integrating satellite and terrestrial networks into a single communications ecosystem. If realised, such a strategy could accelerate competition in the wireless market while expanding access to connectivity in areas traditionally underserved by mobile operators.