SpaceX Eyes U.S. Mobile Service in $1.6 Trillion Wireless Market

2 articles · Updated · The Motley Fool · Jul 6

SpaceX is reportedly preparing a U.S. mobile phone service, extending Starlink beyond satellite internet and into direct competition with AT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile.
Charter Communications has discussed a potential partnership with SpaceX that could provide internet infrastructure and access to Charter's Verizon-backed mobile virtual network arrangement.
Starlink gives SpaceX a profitable base for the push: the connectivity unit posted $4.4 billion in operating income in 2025, while the company overall lost $5 billion on $18.7 billion in revenue.
Building a full wireless network remains the main hurdle because spectrum is scarce and SpaceX's 65 MHz holding trails the big carriers' 279 MHz to 375 MHz; the next major FCC auction is next year.
That gap could keep SpaceX focused on carrier partnerships and satellite coverage in remote areas, even as it targets a market it says could reach $1.6 trillion.

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The Motley Fool3d ago

SpaceX Reportedly Plans U.S. Mobile Phone Service, Targeting $1.6 Trillion Wireless Market

The Globe and Mail3d ago

SpaceX's $1.6 Trillion Opportunity Could Be More Valuable Than Its AI Business - The Globe and Mail

Can SpaceX's fledgling wireless service truly compete with telecom giants, or is it merely a strategic bargaining chip?

Is SpaceX's valuation built on Starlink's real profits or the speculative promise of its orbital AI ambitions?

Starlink’s $19.6 Billion Spectrum Bet: How SpaceX’s Direct-to-Cell Push Is Disrupting the US Mobile Market

Overview

Starlink, a division of SpaceX, went public in June 2026, marking a major milestone that highlights its growing influence and strategic shift toward expanding services. In 2025, Starlink generated $11.4 billion in revenue, showing strong financial performance and positioning itself as a key player in telecommunications. By acquiring nearly $20 billion in wireless spectrum licenses from EchoStar, Starlink gained the essential airwaves needed to move beyond supplemental coverage and offer a full direct-to-cell mobile service. Supported by FCC waivers, Starlink can now deploy its spectrum across terrestrial and space-based networks, accelerating its ambition to become a direct-to-consumer mobile provider.

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