{"id":20974,"date":"2026-10-10T12:05:51","date_gmt":"2026-10-10T12:05:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/news.theck1.no\/?p=20974"},"modified":"2026-10-10T12:05:51","modified_gmt":"2026-10-10T12:05:51","slug":"starlink-spectrum-deal-boosts-musk-plan-to-beat-att-t-mobile-and-verizon","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/news.theck1.no\/?p=20974","title":{"rendered":"Starlink spectrum deal boosts Musk plan to beat AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon"},"content":{"rendered":"

AI-rewritten:<\/strong> This is a summary of an article from Ars Technica, 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.<\/p>\n

Ars Technica •
\n Jon Brodkin
\n • October 9, 2026<\/strong><\/div>\n\n

SpaceX has secured a deal to purchase up to 14 megahertz of low-band spectrum in the 800 MHz range from investment firm Grain Management. The FCC approved this transaction in July 2026, noting that the licenses cover approximately 100 percent of the US population. This acquisition allows SpaceX to complement its space-based Starlink cellular service with a terrestrial network. SpaceX stated that this low-band spectrum addresses key technical gaps needed for Starlink Mobile to become a major carrier. The company also received FCC approval on Tuesday to launch 15,000 new satellites for an upgraded version of its mobile service, which it claims will offer over 100 times the bandwidth of its current generation.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

The 800 MHz spectrum licenses range from 4.85 megahertz to 14 megahertz depending on the county and can be used for terrestrial or satellite-to-mobile service. SpaceX is acquiring this in addition to 65 MHz of mid-band spectrum it bought from EchoStar for $17 billion in May 2026. Elon Musk previously announced plans to deploy small base stations instead of large cellular towers, using Starlink antennas on rooftops to provide connectivity. While the FCC approved the deal, the Rural Wireless Association opposed the broader trend of spectrum aggregation, arguing it disadvantages rural wireless providers. Stock prices for major carriers and satellite companies fell sharply today following this news.<\/p>\n

Terms of the SpaceX\/Grain deal were not disclosed, but Grain originally obtained the rights from T-Mobile in a 2024 swap involving $2.9 billion. Dish had previously declined an option to buy the spectrum for $3.59 billion. Meanwhile, AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon finalized a joint venture last week to pool spectrum and improve satellite coverage for dead zones. The FCC also proposed rule changes allowing 482 MHz of spectrum for satellite-to-mobile service and plans to auction additional mid-band spectrum. SpaceX aims to begin launching its next-generation satellites by late 2027, with thousands more following by the end of 2028.<\/p>\n

\n

Source:<\/strong> Ars Technica •
\n Jon Brodkin
\n • October 9, 2026<\/p>\n

Read the original article at Ars Technica →<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

AI-rewritten: This is a summary of an article from Ars Technica, 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. Ars Technica • Jon Brodkin • October 9, 2026 SpaceX has secured a deal to purchase up to<\/p>\n

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