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SpaceX to acquire 800 MHz spectrum for Starlink Mobile expansion
SpaceX has reached an agreement to acquire a nationwide portfolio of low-band spectrum from Grain Management, a move intended to facilitate its entry into the U.S. mobile telecommunications market through Starlink Mobile. The deal involves up to 14 MHz of paired spectrum in the 800 MHz band. This specific frequency is highly valued for its ability to penetrate buildings and provide coverage in areas where satellite signals typically struggle.
Elon Musk characterized the acquisition as the “last critical piece of the spectrum puzzle” required to provide comprehensive phone coverage across the United States. The plan involves a hybrid architecture that combines Starlink’s satellite constellation with terrestrial infrastructure, such as femtocells, to ensure seamless connectivity indoors and outdoors.
The FCC has already approved Starlink Mobile’s application to deploy 15,000 satellites capable of transmitting in the 2 GHz band to support direct-to-cell services. While the exact financial terms of the Grain Management deal were not disclosed, reports suggest the transaction is valued at approximately $8 billion.
Market reaction to the announcement was significant; telecommunications stocks, including T-Mobile and AT&T, saw declines as investors assessed the competitive threat. Conversely, analysts at Pivotal Research Group raised their price target for SpaceX to $230, citing the potential for Starlink Mobile to reach 160 million subscribers by 2036.
Entities
Delcy Rodríguez · Elon Musk · Federal Communications Commission · Grain Management · SpaceX · Starlink · Venezuela
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 8 SOURCES] SpaceX has agreed to acquire up to 14 MHz of paired nationwide 800 MHz spectrum from Grain Management. comparic.pl · stadiumtechreport.com · www.gadgetgear.nl · internewscast.com · www.mesazhi.com · +3 more
- [DISPUTED] Pivotal Research Group raised its price target for SpaceX to $230. comparic.pl · www.tokenpost.com
- [● 2 SOURCES] The FCC has approved Starlink Mobile’s application to deploy 15,000 satellites capable of transmitting radio waves in the 2 GHz band. internewscast.com · www.mesazhi.com
- [● 2 SOURCES] Following the announcement, T-Mobile shares dropped by approximately 11%. internewscast.com · www.tokenpost.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] The acquisition price for the spectrum is estimated to be approximately $8 billion. comparic.pl · www.gadgetgear.nl · finbold.com
- [● 4 SOURCES] Elon Musk described the spectrum acquisition as the final critical piece needed to provide complete phone coverage across the United States. stadiumtechreport.com · internewscast.com · www.mesazhi.com · www.tahawultech.com