SpaceX Eyes 80,000 Cell Sites to Make Starlink a Carrier

HAWTHORNE, Calif. — SpaceX is reportedly moving to turn Starlink into a full-fledged wireless carrier, pursuing access to at least 80,000 cell sites across the United States in a push that could put it in direct competition with Verizon, AT&T and T-Mobile.

From Satellites to Towers

The strategy pairs SpaceX's fast-growing direct-to-cell satellite fleet with terrestrial infrastructure. Crown Castle — which owns and operates roughly 40,000 towers — is reported to be among the companies in early leasing talks. On an October 21 earnings call, Crown Castle chief executive Chris Hillabrant was asked about discussions with SpaceX and other satellite providers and replied, "You can assume that we're talking to all parties," while declining to name customers.

The move complements, rather than replaces, the service that already reaches phones from orbit. SpaceX's direct-to-cell network recently began carrying voice and data for everyday handsets, and adding ground sites would let Starlink deliver the dense, low-latency coverage cities demand while satellites blanket the rural gaps.

Spectrum and Scale

SpaceX has been assembling the pieces methodically. On October 8, Grain Management agreed to sell its nationwide 800 MHz spectrum portfolio to the company, a deal that still needs FCC approval. The regulator has separately authorized SpaceX to deploy up to 15,000 direct-to-device satellites — the fleet that underpins the whole plan. The company has also discussed placing small cellular base stations inside equipment at Starlink customers' homes and businesses, effectively turning subscribers into network nodes.

Analysts at TD Cowen estimated that building a nationwide terrestrial network from scratch could cost north of $80 billion — which is precisely why leasing existing towers looks like the faster, cheaper route. That same reach has already fueled rapid growth abroad, including a mobile launch in Brazil with Vivo that opened access to roughly 50 million users. When the reports first surfaced on October 23, shares of the major wireless carriers slipped while tower and infrastructure companies climbed, a sign investors see Starlink as a credible new entrant.

A Carrier Built on Global Reach

Musk told investors on SpaceX's October earnings call that the company would extend terrestrial networks wherever regulators allow it to operate. SpaceX has not confirmed agreements covering the 80,000 sites, and it describes the talks as preliminary. Next-generation Starlink Mobile satellites are expected to begin deploying in 2027, with no launch date, pricing or standalone nationwide plan announced yet. More on the service is available at Starlink's official site.

Still, the direction is clear. By stitching together spectrum, satellites and towers, SpaceX is assembling the makings of a carrier that could cover both the busiest downtowns and the most remote highways — a combination no incumbent can match today.