{
  "id": 16220585,
  "title": "SpaceX In Talks to Access 80,000 Cell Sites For New Network",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/23/spacex-in-talks-to-access-80-000-cell-sites-for-new-network-16220585",
  "topic": "tech",
  "section": "Tech",
  "published": "2026-10-23T20:00:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Slashdot",
    "slug": "slashdot",
    "url": "https://mobile.slashdot.org/story/26/10/23/1916222/spacex-in-talks-to-access-80000-cell-sites-for-new-network"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "SpaceX is reportedly in discussions to secure access to around 80,000 cellular tower sites across the United States in preparation for the launch of Starlink Mobile, its fourth nationwide wireless carrier. Elon Musk, SpaceX's CEO, announced during the company's earnings call that they are building out terrestrial networks to ensure broad-based connectivity wherever Starlink operations are permitted. Musk further explained that satellite launches combined with spectrum acquisition will enable Starlink Mobile to become a significant mobile carrier in the US. According to Bloomberg, Crown Castle is among the companies being talked to, alongside American Tower and Vertical Bridge Holdings, which are among the largest owners of cellular towers in the country. When asked about these potential discussions, SpaceX's CEO Chris Hassell declined to provide specific details, stating that they are talking to all relevant parties. Mobile networks depend on antennas mounted on towers nationwide to transmit wireless signals. Typically, carriers like AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile lease space for their equipment at these tower sites because it is more cost-effective than owning and maintaining the facilities themselves, as they can share the infrastructure. The reported value of these deals with SpaceX could potentially reach into the billions of dollars.",
  "summary": "SpaceX is reportedly seeking access to at least 80,000 cellular tower sites across the U.S. as it prepares to launch Starlink Mobile as a fourth nationwide wireless carrier. \"We will be building out our terrestrial networks so there's broad-based connectivity anywhere that SpaceX and Starlink are allowed to operate,\" Musk said during SpaceX's earnings call this week. Satellite launches plus…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 6,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Channel News Asia",
        "title": "SpaceX seeks access to 80,000 US cell sites for wireless network, Bloomberg News reports",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/22/spacex-seeks-access-to-80-000-us-cell-sites-for-wireless-network",
        "published": "2026-10-22T23:01:33.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Investing.com",
        "title": "SpaceX seeks access to 80,000 US cell sites for wireless network, Bloomberg News reports",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/22/spacex-seeks-access-to-80-000-us-cell-sites-for-wireless-network-16122320",
        "published": "2026-10-22T23:06:19.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Straits Times Business",
        "title": "SpaceX in talks to access 80,000 cell sites for wireless network",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/22/spacex-in-talks-to-access-80-000-cell-sites-for-wireless-network",
        "published": "2026-10-22T23:45:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Business Times - Companies & Markets",
        "title": "SpaceX in talks to access 80,000 cell sites for new network",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/23/spacex-in-talks-to-access-80-000-cell-sites-for-new-network",
        "published": "2026-10-23T01:34:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Economic Times Tech",
        "title": "SpaceX seeks access to 80,000 US cell sites for wireless network: report",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/23/spacex-seeks-access-to-80-000-us-cell-sites-for-wireless-network",
        "published": "2026-10-23T03:18:25.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}