AI-rewritten: This is a summary of an article from The Verge, rewritten by AI (Qwen, running locally) to make it easier to read. The facts come from the original article – read it for the full story.
SpaceX has acquired low-band spectrum licenses to compete with major US carriers like T-Mobile, AT&T, and Verizon. The company states this move will enable its Starlink Mobile service to become a significant mobile network operator once the Federal Communications Commission approves the deal.
The new licenses cover up to 14 megahertz of paired spectrum in the 800 MHz band. SpaceX explains that this frequency range allows signals to penetrate walls and buildings better than previous attempts. The company previously obtained 2GHz spectrum from EchoStar for its direct-to-device service.
According to SpaceX, the FCC has approved plans to deploy 15,000 V2 Starlink Mobile satellites. These satellites will provide over 100 times the bandwidth of the current generation. The company claims this combination of satellite and terrestrial spectrum will offer reliable indoor and outdoor coverage in cellular dead zones.
Source: The Verge • Emma Roth • October 8, 2026