SpaceX has acquired radio frequencies in the 800 MHz band from investment firm Grain Management LLC. The company intends to integrate these frequencies into its Starlink Direct-to-Cell system to provide mobile coverage across nearly the entire United States, including remote areas where traditional cell towers are not cost-effective.
The 800 MHz spectrum is particularly effective at penetrating walls and obstacles. Because many modern smartphones already support this band, users may eventually connect to the satellite network without requiring specialized hardware. The licenses were previously involved in an exchange between Grain Management and T-Mobile in August.
SpaceX still requires approval from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to launch the full network. The company has not yet disclosed service launch dates, pricing, or subscription terms. Elon Musk described this acquisition as a final, critical step in achieving near-universal mobile coverage for the country.
The announcement triggered a decline in the stock prices of major US telecommunications providers. During after-hours trading at 17:00 New York time, shares of AT&T fell by 7.3%, while T-Mobile US and Verizon Communications both saw their stock prices drop by 6.6% as investors reacted to the new competition.
