SpaceX’s mobile carrier push reportedly involves tapping into 80,000 cell sites

SpaceX plans to access at least 80,000 cell sites as part of efforts to compete directly with Verizon, T-Mobile, and AT&T, according to a report from Bloomberg. Sources tell the publication that SpaceX is in talks with Crown Castle Inc., one of the nation’s largest cell tower owners. The move would give SpaceX access to half of the 158,500 cell towers currently operational in the US, according to Reuters. When asked about a potential partnership with SpaceX, Amazon, or other satellite services during an earnings call on Wednesday, Crown Castle CEO Chris Hillabrant said, “I don’t think I want to get into customer-specific detail, but you can assume that we’re talking to all parties.” SpaceX plans to pair a network of cell towers with its constellation of direct-to-cell satellites. Earlier this month, SpaceX acquired a portfolio of low-band spectrum licenses while also receiving FCC approval to deploy 15,000 upgraded V2 Starlink Mobile satellites — moves the company says will “pave the way” for Starlink Mobile to become a “major” carrier in the US. The Elon Musk-owned company also acquired 2GHz spectrum from EchoStar for $17 billion last year.