San Francisco, CA , September 20, 2025: SpaceX, the aerospace company owned by Elon Musk, has signed a $17 billion deal to acquire airwave licenses from EchoStar. This move will allow SpaceX to provide mobile phone service in areas where traditional cell networks don’t reach, such as mountains and remote countryside.
With this acquisition, SpaceX will use its Starlink satellite network to connect mobile phones directly to satellites, bypassing the need for cell towers. This could give people reliable mobile service even in places with poor or no network coverage.
The deal includes licenses for 50 MHz of S-band spectrum in the US and other global areas, which will help Starlink expand its services. If successful, the new mobile service could offer features like video calls, streaming, and gaming in regions where cell service is limited.
SpaceX to Bring Mobile Service Anywhere, Even in Mountains
This move has already affected major US telecom companies like AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon, whose stock prices fell after the announcement. SpaceX plans to add more satellites to its network, increasing coverage and improving service in underserved areas.
Starlink claims to be the world’s most advanced satellite constellation using a low Earth orbit to deliver broadband internet capable of supporting streaming, online gaming, video calls and more.
As the world’s leading provider of launch services, SpaceX is the only satellite operator with the ability to launch its own satellites as needed. With frequent, low-cost launches, Starlink satellites are constantly updated with the newest technology.
