SpaceX vil møte Norge om Starlink Mobile

On September 29th, SpaceX sent an email to the Norwegian Digitalization and Administration Ministry, which E24 had obtained a copy of. An SpaceX analyst, Marianne Lu, inquired about a meeting with the ministry "in the coming weeks" to share updates on Starlink, particularly Starlink Mobile. Lu explained that the technology enables mobile phones to connect directly to satellites for coverage even in remote areas, which could be valuable for Norway's northern regions.

The Digitalization and Administration Ministry, currently led by Torgeir Micaelsen (AP), confirmed to E24 that the inquiry is being handled normally and will be followed up on. However, a communications advisor, Oscar Henrik Biti Næss, stated that no meeting has been agreed upon at this time. SpaceX has not responded to E24's request for information on the matter.

There has been growing debate over the security implications of Starlink following Elon Musk's recent restriction on Ukraine's access. Musk reportedly did this because Ukraine used the system for offensive drone attacks. This week, Telenor CEO Benedicte Schilbred Fasmer warned in DN of a "vulnerability and risk that Norway and Europe cannot live with."

Starlink sells internet from thousands of satellites orbiting Earth. In Q3, revenue reached $5.25 billion and subscriber count reached 13.6 million. In Norway, Starlink Norway generated NOK 831.4 million in revenue in the previous year. Starlink Mobile also sells satellite coverage from 650 satellites to mobile operators like T-Mobile, and had 22 million monthly users by the end of September.

SpaceX, however, aims to become a major mobile operator itself. In October, the company announced it had purchased low-band spectrum and received approval from American authorities to launch 15,000 new mobile satellites, potentially turning Starlink Mobile into a major mobile operator in the US. The plan is to combine satellites in space with ground technology to piggyback on existing mobile operators.

Elon Musk wrote on X that spectrum is "the last critical piece in the spectrum arms race" needed for SpaceX to provide complete telephone coverage in the US. SpaceX's plan is to combine satellites in orbit with ground technology to piggyback on existing mobile operators. On X, Musk stated that spectrum is "the final critical piece in the spectrum arms race" needed for SpaceX to deliver complete telephone coverage in the US.

Launching SpaceX's new mobile satellites on Starship rockets is planned for 2027, with service starting in early 2028, according to SpaceX's chief Gwynne Shotwell during the presentation of the third quarter.