SpaceX Secures Spectrum in $17 Billion Deal to Strengthen Starlink’s 5G Services
Elon Musk’s company SpaceX has announced that it is purchasing wireless spectrum licenses from EchoStar in a deal worth nearly $17 billion, Reuters reported. The agreement is expected to play a pivotal role in the expansion of Starlink’s 5G services.
As part of the deal, EchoStar’s Boost Mobile customers will be able to directly access Starlink’s satellite-to-cell service, ensuring mobile connectivity even in remote areas.
SpaceX said that by acquiring this spectrum, the company will develop and deploy advanced, laser-linked satellites that will increase network capacity by more than 100-fold.
SpaceX President Gwynne Shotwell stated, “This is a major step toward eliminating mobile dead zones worldwide.”
Following the announcement, EchoStar’s shares surged nearly 19%, while those of major U.S. telecom operators AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon fell by 2–3%.
In 2024, U.S. users consumed a record 132 trillion megabytes of mobile data, representing a 35% increase compared to the previous year.
