T-Mobile CTO John Saw challenged the idea that SpaceX can turn Starlink Mobile into a direct rival to traditional cellular networks. The skepticism follows SpaceX's acquisition of spectrum licenses from Grain Management, covering up to 14 MHz of paired spectrum in the 800 MHz band. Elon Musk previously described this purchase as the final piece needed for nationwide mobile coverage in the US.
According to Saw, the total spectrum available to Starlink Mobile will reach approximately 80 MHz after the deal. In comparison, T-Mobile currently holds nearly 400 MHz in low and mid-band frequencies. Saw noted that the frequencies acquired from Grain Management were previously deprioritized by T-Mobile's own network strategy, as spectrum alone does not resolve capacity constraints.
The technical limitations of satellite communication remain significant. Signals from satellites orbiting hundreds of kilometers away suffer losses of up to 50 dB compared to terrestrial base stations located roughly one kilometer from a device. While moving to the 800 MHz band offers some improvement, it does not bridge the fundamental gap in performance between satellite and ground-based infrastructure.
Terrestrial networks utilize hundreds of base stations to manage high traffic loads from streaming, gaming, and video calls. While SpaceX aims to provide broad coverage, Saw argues that this is distinct from the capacity and speed required for a 5G Advanced experience. SpaceX is exploring the use of compact, low-power base stations on existing Starlink equipment to extend coverage without building traditional towers.
