SpaceX has acquired up to 14MHz of paired spectrum in the 800MHz band across the US from Grain Management, giving Starlink another major piece of the infrastructure it needs to become a full mobile network.
Elon Musk called the acquisition the “last critical piece of the spectrum puzzle” needed for SpaceX to provide complete phone coverage across America.
Satellite Coverage Outdoors, 800MHz Indoors
SpaceX plans to use its Starlink satellites to provide mobile coverage outdoors, while the newly acquired 800MHz spectrum would help extend service indoors.
The lower-frequency 800MHz band is better suited to penetrating buildings than higher-frequency spectrum.
Most existing smartphones already support the band, meaning SpaceX would not necessarily need specialized devices for the terrestrial part of the network.
Starlink Mobile will also use SpaceX’s existing 2GHz mid-band spectrum for higher-speed and higher-capacity service, particularly outdoors.
Starlink Plans Ground-Based 5G Network
SpaceX says it intends to combine its satellite network with terrestrial infrastructure. The company plans to use ground-based femtocells alongside satellites to provide 5G mobile coverage.
After receiving regulatory approval for the spectrum acquisition, SpaceX says it will deploy a flexible network architecture combining its satellite-to-mobile constellation with terrestrial coverage.
The aim is to let compatible devices move between the two systems without users having to think about whether they are connected through satellites or ground infrastructure.
Starlink Could Take On Major US Carriers
If SpaceX fully deploys the network, Starlink Mobile could become a direct competitor to AT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile.
Its biggest advantage would likely be coverage in rural and traditionally underserved areas, where satellite connectivity can reach locations that are difficult or expensive to serve with conventional cell towers.
SpaceX has already received FCC approval to deploy up to 15,000 next-generation satellites for the service.
Spectrum Originally Came From T-Mobile
The 800MHz spectrum SpaceX is acquiring originally belonged to T-Mobile.
T-Mobile sold the licenses to Grain Management in August in exchange for Grain’s 600MHz spectrum licenses and $2.9 billion in cash.
SpaceX is now buying that 800MHz spectrum from Grain Management as part of its broader push to turn Starlink from a satellite internet service into a more complete mobile network.
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