Elon Musk's Starlink could be your next cellphone carrier
Ever look at your cellphone bill and wonder why you're paying so much when you still can't get a decent signal? Maybe calls drop inside your house or your phone loses service during a road trip. It's frustrating, especially when the big wireless companies keep promising better coverage.
Now, Elon Musk wants to give you another option. His company, SpaceX, is reportedly pursuing access to at least 80,000 cell sites across the United States. The goal is to turn Starlink into a major wireless carrier that could compete directly with Verizon, AT&T and T-Mobile. If Musk pulls this off, the way you choose your cellphone service could change.
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AMAZON LEO SATELLITE INTERNET TAKES ON STARLINK
SpaceX is reportedly negotiating with major cellular infrastructure companies to secure access to at least 80,000 sites nationwide. One company reportedly involved is Crown Castle, which owns and operates roughly 40,000 cell towers across the country. During an Oct. 21 earnings call, Crown Castle CEO Chris Hillabrant was asked about potential leasing discussions with SpaceX and other satellite providers. His response was revealing. "You can assume that we're talking to all parties," he said, although he declined to discuss specific customers. That's a significant development.
Cell towers provide the infrastructure that keeps our phones connected across the country. Wireless companies typically lease space on these towers rather than build every structure themselves. That approach helps them expand coverage without taking on the full cost of owning the infrastructure. For perspective, the Wireless Infrastructure Association counted about 158,500 purpose-built cell towers nationwide in 2025. SpaceX's reported target of 80,000 cell sites would represent a substantial expansion, although cell sites and physical towers are not the same thing. A single tower can support equipment from multiple wireless networks, so the two figures are not directly comparable. Still, the reported discussions remain preliminary. SpaceX has not publicly confirmed agreements covering those 80,000 sites.
Here's something you might be wondering. If Starlink already has satellites orbiting Earth, why does SpaceX need thousands of cell towers? The answer comes down to how wireless coverage works. Satellites can provide connectivity in remote areas where traditional cell towers are scarce. However, signals from space can struggle to reach phones inside buildings or in places with an obstructed view of the sky.
That's where ground-based cellular networks come in. Traditional towers can provide stronger, more consistent service in areas where satellite connections face limitations. By combining both technologies, SpaceX hopes to create a network that keeps people connected across more locations.
There's another interesting piece to the strategy. SpaceX has also discussed adding small cellular base stations to equipment installed at Starlink customers' homes and businesses. Those stations could help provide mobile coverage without requiring the company to rely entirely on traditional cell towers.
However, there's a catch. Starlink customers install their equipment where they need home internet. Those locations may not line up with where a nationwide cellphone network needs additional coverage. That's why access to established cellular infrastructure could prove so valuable.
SpaceX has already made several investments that support its wireless ambitions. On October 8, investment firm Grain Management announced an agreement to sell its nationwide portfolio of 800 MHz wireless spectrum to SpaceX. The deal remains subject to Federal Communications Commission approval.
If you're unfamiliar with spectrum, think of it as the radio frequencies that carry wireless signals between your phone and a network. Different frequencies have different strengths. Lower-frequency signals generally travel farther and penetrate buildings more effectively than higher-frequency signals. That could help Starlink Mobile deliver coverage in places where satellite connections alone might struggle.
SpaceX also received FCC authorization in October to deploy a new constellation of up to 15,000 direct-to-device satellites. These satellites are designed to communicate with compatible phones and support a broader range of mobile services. However, that authorization doesn't mean all the satellites are already operating.
Together, those developments help explain why Musk is getting serious about the wireless business. SpaceX is assembling the pieces needed to connect phones through satellites and ground-based networks. During SpaceX's October earnings call, Musk said the company would expand its terrestrial networks to provide broader connectivity wherever SpaceX and Starlink are permitted to operate. He also said satellite launches and spectrum acquisitions would help Starlink Mobile become a major U.S. wireless carrier.
The possibility has already caught Wall Street's attention. Following reports of SpaceX's cell tower negotiations, shares of major wireless companies fell on October 23. Meanwhile, cellular infrastructure companies saw their shares rise as investors anticipated potential business from SpaceX. But entering the wireless market won't come cheap.
Analysts at TD Cowen reportedly estimated that building a nationwide terrestrial network could cost more than $80 billion. The process could take years, even for a company with SpaceX's financial resources. And SpaceX would face established competitors with decades of experience. Verizon, AT&T and T-Mobile already operate extensive networks. They also have millions of customers and established retail operations.
Interestingly, SpaceX already works with T-Mobile through its T-Satellite with Starlink service. That partnership allows compatible phones to connect to satellites in certain areas without traditional cellular coverage. So, Musk's company currently helps support a wireless provider it could eventually compete against. That's an unusual position, but it also gives SpaceX experience delivering satellite connectivity to everyday phones. If Starlink Mobile becomes a standalone carrier, customers could eventually have another nationwide option beyond today's three dominant providers.
If you're already wondering when you can switch, there's an important detail to keep in mind. SpaceX has not announced a confirmed launch date for a fully independent nationwide cellphone service. The company expects to begin deploying its next-generation Starlink Mobile satellites in 2027.
However, building a terrestrial cellular network presents a separate challenge. SpaceX still needs access to suitable tower locations and the equipment required to operate them. The company also faces additional regulatory requirements. Its nationwide spectrum agreement with Grain Management, for example, still needs FCC approval.
Meanwhile, expanding coverage across the country will take considerable time. Even with thousands of satellites overhead, SpaceX would need a carefully planned ground network to deliver a reliable alternative to existing carriers. For now, Starlink's existing satellite partnerships should not be confused with the proposed nationwide cellphone service.
If you've been frustrated with your cellphone bill or unreliable coverage, another major wireless provider could eventually give you more options. More competition could mean better wireless deals. Verizon, AT&T and T-Mobile may face pressure to improve their plans if SpaceX introduces an appealing alternative. However, Starlink Mobile has not announced pricing for a standalone nationwide service. There's no guarantee it will cost less than what you're paying today.
Coverage could be the bigger selling point. By combining satellites with traditional cell towers, SpaceX could potentially reach places where existing wireless networks struggle. That could be especially appealing if you live in a rural community or frequently travel through areas with weak signals. However, actual performance will depend on where SpaceX installs its equipment and how well its satellite connections work.
The real test will come when SpaceX reveals its pricing and coverage plans. Can Starlink offer better service in places where other carriers struggle? And will it give people a compelling reason to switch? Those answers will determine whether Musk's wireless ambitions actually benefit cellphone customers.
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I've been covering wireless technology long enough to know that big promises don't always translate into better cellphone service. We've heard plenty about expanding coverage and improving connectivity. Yet there are still places where you can barely make a call. That's why I find SpaceX's plans interesting. Combining satellites with traditional cellular infrastructure could eventually give people more options, particularly in areas where the big carriers have struggled.
At the same time, I'm curious about the bigger picture. Musk already has an enormous satellite network, and now he reportedly wants to build a major wireless business on the ground. That could introduce some welcome competition. However, I'd like to know what the pricing will look like and whether Starlink can provide reliable coverage where people actually use their phones. If it can deliver on those promises, the established carriers may have a serious reason to worry. And frankly, a little more competition in the cellphone business wouldn't hurt.
If Elon Musk offered you cellphone service through Starlink, would you trust his company enough to leave Verizon, AT&T or T-Mobile? Or would you rather stick with the wireless provider you already know? Let us know by writing to us at Cyberguy.com
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