SpaceX Secures Spectrum Deal to Expand Starlink as Mobile Carrier

SpaceX announces spectrum deal to expand Starlink as a major U.S. mobile carrier, sparking stock market reactions.

October 9, 2026 One Min Read

POLICY WIRE — City, Country — Elon Musk’s SpaceX has finalized a deal to acquire radio spectrum licenses that will allow its Starlink Mobile service to deliver cellular connectivity indoors, marking a key step toward becoming a dominant player in the U.S. wireless market.

The company announced the agreement with investment firm Grain Management, which involves low-frequency radio waves capable of penetrating walls—overcoming a major obstacle for indoor signal strength. This move is seen as the final piece of the puzzle for full nationwide phone coverage in America, according to Musk.

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SpaceX also revealed that the Federal Communications Commission has approved plans to launch 15,000 satellites operating in the 2 gigahertz band, enabling direct mobile phone connections. Analysts believe the technology is compatible with current handsets and expect minimal regulatory hurdles, though scaling the service will take time. The news sent telecom stocks tumbling, with T-Mobile and AT&T seeing sharp declines, while SpaceX shares rose slightly.

Reporting by Policy-Wire (PW)

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