SpaceX plans a direct-to-consumer Starlink mobile service in the US, backed by $19.6 billion in EchoStar spectrum purchases and potential ground-based networks. The move would bypass existing T-Mobile partnerships and position Starlink as a primary competitor to major carriers including AT&T.
SpaceX has disclosed plans to offer a Starlink-branded mobile phone service directly to US consumers. This would represent a shift from its current satellite-to-cell partnership with T-Mobile, allowing the company to sell mobile plans under its own brand and capture subscriber revenue without carrier intermediaries.
The company has invested approximately $19.6 billion in EchoStar terrestrial spectrum rights, including a $17 billion purchase in September 2025 and a $2.6 billion follow-on deal in November. These licenses provide the necessary frequency rights for operating an independent ground-based mobile network alongside satellite coverage.
By combining satellite broadband capabilities with a terrestrial network, Starlink could challenge incumbent carriers’ coverage and pricing models. Major US carriers like AT&T face a new competitor that aims to serve both remote coverage gaps and core mobile customers directly under the Starlink banner.
