Spacex’s Telecom Push Faces a Long Road, Experts Warn

WHO:

Yahoo Finance - Elon Musk said SpaceX plans to make Starlink Mobile a major mobile carrier in the United States.

Yahoo Finance - AT&T CEO John Stankey said building a scaled wireless network takes “a lot of years and a huge level of investment.”

Yahoo Finance - SpaceX is pursuing a potential challenge to Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile, described as the three traditional telecom and mobile service incumbents.

Yahoo Finance - Bloomberg reported that SpaceX is in talks with major telecommunications infrastructure companies, reportedly including cell tower operator Crown Castle.

Bloomberg Markets - The program “SpaceX Shakes Up Telecom Stocks | Closing Bell” featured Romaine Bostick, Jess Menton, Carol Massar, and Tim Stenovec.

WHAT:

Yahoo Finance - SpaceX, which operates the world’s largest commercial satellite network through Starlink, is seeking access to at least 80,000 U.S. cell sites.

Yahoo Finance - The proposed site access would advance SpaceX’s effort to establish a fourth nationwide wireless carrier.

Yahoo Finance - AT&T and T-Mobile shares fell by as much as 6%, while Verizon shares fell 1.5%, following the announcement.

Yahoo Finance - Goldman Sachs analysts said Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile each lease space on approximately 60,000 to 80,000 U.S. cell towers combined. SNL Kagan data puts the nationwide total at roughly 175,000 traditional cell towers.

Yahoo Finance - Goldman Sachs analysts led by Michael Ng estimated average annual cell-tower rent at roughly $50,000 per cellular tenant. At that rate, leasing 80,000 sites could cost about $4 billion annually, or $20 billion to $40 billion over a typical five- to 10-year lease period.

Bloomberg Markets - Bloomberg’s “Closing Bell” provided coverage of the U.S. market close across Bloomberg Television, Bloomberg Radio, and YouTube.

WHERE:

Yahoo Finance - SpaceX’s proposed wireless network would cover the United States.

WHY:

Yahoo Finance - Musk said Starlink satellite launches and spectrum acquisitions would “pave the way” for Starlink Mobile to become a major U.S. mobile carrier.

Yahoo Finance - Executives and analysts said competing with incumbents would be difficult because established providers have spent decades building infrastructure, acquiring spectrum, and developing subscriber bases.

HOW:

Yahoo Finance - SpaceX is pursuing its network ambitions through Starlink satellite launches, spectrum acquisitions, and negotiations for access to cell sites.

(UPDATED October 24, 2026 19:05 UTC)

SpaceX is seeking access to at least 80,000 U.S. cell sites as it works to establish Starlink Mobile as a fourth nationwide wireless carrier. Elon Musk said Starlink satellite launches and spectrum acquisitions would “pave the way” for the service to become a major mobile provider. Bloomberg reported that SpaceX is in talks with telecommunications infrastructure companies, reportedly including cell tower operator Crown Castle. Competing with Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile could be difficult: the established carriers have spent decades building networks, acquiring spectrum, and attracting subscribers. AT&T chief executive John Stankey said creating a scaled wireless network takes “a lot of years and a huge level of investment.” Shares of AT&T and T-Mobile fell by as much as 6%, while Verizon dropped 1.5%. Analysts estimate leasing 80,000 sites could cost SpaceX about $4 billion annually, or $20 billion to $40 billion over a typical lease period.