SpaceX weighs a move into US mobile service through Boost Mobile
A purchase or network access deal would give SpaceX a path to phone service on the ground, not just from satellites.
SpaceX is reportedly weighing a move into wireless service through Boost Mobile, the budget carrier owned by EchoStar, either by buying it outright or gaining access to its network. Elon Musk raised the idea with EchoStar chairman Charlie Ergen last month. Boost currently runs on T-Mobile and AT&T's networks, so SpaceX would likely need those carriers' permission to operate there. The talks fit a broader push by SpaceX to build a mobile business that pairs its satellite-to-phone constellation with terrestrial infrastructure, following its purchase of EchoStar spectrum licenses last year and a recent buy of low-band spectrum that could help signals reach indoors. Bloomberg has also reported that SpaceX is in talks for access to at least 80,000 US cell sites. Neither SpaceX nor Boost had responded to requests for comment at the time of reporting.
Why it matters
The talks would move SpaceX from satellite-to-phone links toward owning or using terrestrial mobile infrastructure, a shift that could change who controls wireless service for Boost's budget customers. Boost currently depends on T-Mobile and AT&T networks, so any deal would also depend on those carriers agreeing. Recent spectrum purchases and reported talks for access to at least 80,000 US cell sites suggest SpaceX is building the pieces for a broader mobile business, though none of this is confirmed by either company.
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