SpaceX is buying nationwide low-band spectrum to become a major U.S. mobile carrier
The deal gives SpaceX licenses for up to 14 MHz of paired 800 MHz spectrum, which the company says will let Starlink Mobile penetrate buildings and obstacles
SpaceX has acquired a nationwide low-band spectrum portfolio in a deal worth approximately $8 billion, according to Investing.com. The acquisition, from private-equity firm Grain Management, gives SpaceX licenses for up to 14 MHz of paired 800 MHz spectrum.
This new spectrum will enable SpaceX's Starlink Mobile satellite-to-cellular service to penetrate buildings and obstacles, addressing a major technical hurdle previously faced by satellite-based mobile networks. The low-band frequencies can travel long distances and pass through dense structures such as walls and tree cover.
The deal positions Starlink Mobile to challenge legacy wireless giants across the United States, potentially bypassing conventional cell towers entirely. Starlink Mobile already has existing global 2 GHz mid-band spectrum for high-bandwidth capacity, and the addition of nationwide low-band airwaves could transform satellite direct-to-device connectivity into a full-scale communications service.
Brief written by urgent.news from Quartz, Investing.com — 2 reports on this story. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
