Qualcomm has announced a partnership with SpaceX to provide its Dragonwing cellular infrastructure platform for the Starlink Mobile 5G network across the United States. The deal involves the deployment of the QRU100 and QDU100 platforms, which utilize 64T64R massive MIMO technology.
SpaceX intends to deploy tens of thousands of base stations over a multi-year period, with a nationwide rollout in the US scheduled to begin in 2027. While the financial terms remain undisclosed, Qualcomm has confirmed that this is the largest 5G contract in the company's history.
This collaboration allows Qualcomm to expand its footprint in the telecommunications infrastructure market, competing directly with companies like Marvell, Broadcom, and Intel. The move supports Qualcomm's broader strategy to diversify its business beyond mobile processor chips.
SpaceX aims to challenge major US wireless carriers, including AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile, by integrating low-orbit satellite internet with a terrestrial cellular network. The company is currently acquiring wireless spectrum and negotiating with tower infrastructure firms to build out its network.
