SpaceX, the controller of Starlink, is developing a terrestrial telecommunications service in the United States aimed at directly competing with major market operators such as AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon. The objective of this initiative is not to replace satellite internet services, but rather to complement them.
Currently, Starlink already offers a service called Starlink Mobile, which works in conjunction with American mobile carrier networks, such as T-Mobile, filling coverage gaps for cellular telephony in regions with weak or non-existent signals.
The current plan is strategic for SpaceX, as it centralizes the company's operations. To make this possible, the company acquired 65 MHz of wireless spectrum licenses from EchoStar last year for a value of US$ 19.6 billion (equivalent to about R$ 100 billion in direct conversion).
Although this spectrum is limited compared to the control held by rival operators, SpaceX suggests that it is suitable for building a competitive mobile network. This topic was discussed during a conference call regarding SpaceX's recent financial results.
During the broadcast, Gwynne Shotwell, the company's president, emphasized the plans for a hybrid operation. She stated that the spectrum acquired from EchoStar contains terrestrial components intended for mobile networks, indicating the intention to develop this terrestrial part. According to her, this way the company will have not only the capacity of its own Starlink satellites but also all the necessary hardware and system infrastructure to create a complete mobile service.
Elon Musk, who also participated in the presentation, addressed the potential limitation of the spectrum. He proposed an alternative to deploying large and expensive cell base stations, stating that there is confidence in the possibility of installing a large volume of small stations. These small stations would essentially be Starlink antennas that also provide connectivity in mobile spectrum bands and could be distributed in various locations.
As of now, there is no forecast for when the service combining Starlink satellites and the mobile network will be launched. SpaceX's plans are focused on the United States. However, in Brazil, this type of operation would require a satellite company to establish partnerships with traditional carriers, which could represent a challenge for Starlink.
Despite this, the company's expansion in Brazil continues. Recent data from Anatel shows that Starlink has 836,847 subscribers in the country, although the company itself reports having over 1 million customers.
SpaceX has unveiled new plans to evolve Starlink, transforming it into a more comprehensive mobile operation within the United States. This move has raised concerns among the country's major telecommunications companies, as the strategy integrates the company's satellite network with terrestrial communication infrastructures.
SpaceX CEO Gwynne Shotwell presented this initiative during a teleconference, shortly after the company released its financial results last Tuesday (the 4th). This announcement impacted the financial market, putting pressure on the stocks of companies such as Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile.
The development of this project was made possible by SpaceX's acquisition of spectrum licenses from EchoStar, a process completed through two negotiations totaling US$19.6 billion. The company stated its intention to use these frequencies to go beyond the current service of direct connection between satellites and mobile devices.
The expansion outlined by Elon Musk's company aims to position Starlink as an operator capable of competing for customers with the largest American telecommunications conglomerates. Currently, SpaceX's service is primarily used to provide connectivity in regions where traditional phone coverage is nonexistent.
SpaceX informed that the licenses acquired from EchoStar contain components geared towards terrestrial use, which allows for the creation of a structure that will complement the satellite network. Thus, SpaceX aims to build its own network to increase its presence in the mobile sector.
The company expects to capture a share of the clientele served by the major American carriers. Gwynne Shotwell emphasized that the organization aims to develop all necessary infrastructure to consolidate Starlink as a complete mobile service.
However, analysts point out that entering this market will require substantial financial investment and an extensive implementation timeline. Companies like Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile possess decades of experience, in addition to large investments in frequency licenses and billions spent on maintaining and modernizing their networks.
Craig Moffett, from the consultancy MoffettNathanson, opined that direct competition between Starlink and established carriers would be complex in the short term without collaboration with an already consolidated company. He suggested that an MVNO agreement, where one company markets services using another operator's network, could simplify this path.
Another alternative considered by the market is acquisition. Matt Britzman, senior equity analyst at Hargreaves Lansdown, mentioned that buying a smaller carrier or assets related to spectrum, towers, and customers could expedite SpaceX's entry into this segment.
Despite uncertainties regarding costs and timelines, some investors see disruptive potential in the strategy. David Wagner, portfolio manager at Aptus Capital Advisors, assessed that the market may be underestimating the innovation capacity of Elon Musk's company.
Currently, SpaceX already maintains a partnership with T-Mobile to provide Starlink connectivity on compatible phones in areas far from conventional network reach. In this existing arrangement, the technology acts as a complement to the operator's infrastructure, not as a direct competitor.
