SpaceX buys T-Mobile spectrum to boost Starlink Mobile network

SpaceX has reached a deal to purchase nationwide low-band spectrum licenses for a planned terrestrial mobile network intended to complement its space-based Starlink cellular service. The acquisition involves up to 14 megahertz of spectrum in the 800 MHz band from investment firm Grain Management. Grain Management acquired these spectrum rights from T-Mobile earlier this year. T-Mobile originally obtained the spectrum when it purchased Sprint in 2020 and was obligated to sell the licenses under a merger condition imposed by the US government. SpaceX stated that this prime low-band spectrum addresses a key remaining technical gap, paving the way for Starlink Mobile to become a major mobile carrier in the US. In a related development, SpaceX received US approval this week to launch 15,000 satellites for an upgraded version of its mobile service, which the company says will be far more powerful than its current offering.