SpaceX Pursues Access to 80,000 Cell Sites to Challenge Major US Carriers
Elon Musk's SpaceX is reportedly seeking access to at least 80,000 cell sites across the United States to turn Starlink into a major wireless carrier.
Elon Musk's SpaceX is reportedly pursuing access to at least 80,000 cell sites across the United States, a move that could turn its Starlink service into a major wireless carrier competing with Verizon, AT&T and T-Mobile. For consumers frustrated by dropped calls and patchy signals despite rising monthly bills, the effort could eventually widen the choice of who provides their cellphone service.
One company reportedly involved in the talks is Crown Castle, which owns and operates roughly 40,000 cell towers across the country. During an October 21 earnings call, Crown Castle CEO Chris Hillabrant was asked about potential leasing discussions with SpaceX and other satellite providers. He did not name specific customers but said, « You can assume that we're talking to all parties, » signaling that the company is open to new tenants on its infrastructure.
Cell towers are the physical backbone of mobile networks, and wireless companies typically lease space on them rather than build every structure themselves. That model lets carriers expand coverage without carrying the full cost of owning the infrastructure. The Wireless Infrastructure Association counted about 158,500 purpose-built cell towers nationwide in 2025. SpaceX's reported target of 80,000 cell sites would represent a substantial expansion, although sites and towers are not the same thing, since a single tower can host equipment from multiple networks. The reported discussions also remain preliminary, and SpaceX has not publicly confirmed agreements covering those 80,000 sites.
The question of why a company with satellites in orbit needs ground infrastructure comes down to how wireless signals behave. Satellites can deliver connectivity in remote areas where towers are scarce, but signals from space can struggle to reach phones inside buildings or in places with an obstructed view of the sky. Traditional towers provide stronger and more consistent service in those conditions. By combining both technologies, SpaceX hopes to keep people connected in more locations.
The company has also discussed adding small cellular base stations to equipment installed at Starlink customers' homes and businesses, which could provide mobile coverage without relying entirely on traditional towers. There is a limitation, however. Starlink customers install equipment where they need home internet, and those locations may not match where a nationwide cellphone network needs more coverage. That gap is part of why access to established cellular infrastructure could prove valuable.
SpaceX has already taken steps that support its wireless ambitions. On October 8, investment firm Grain Management announced an agreement to sell its nationwide portfolio of 800 MHz wireless spectrum to SpaceX, a deal that remains subject to Federal Communications Commission approval. Spectrum refers to the radio frequencies that carry signals between a phone and a network, and lower frequencies generally travel farther and penetrate buildings more effectively than higher ones. That characteristic could help Starlink Mobile reach places where satellite links alone might falter.
SpaceX also received FCC authorization in October to deploy a new constellation of up to 15,000 direct-to-device satellites, designed to communicate with compatible phones. That approval does not mean the satellites are already operating. During SpaceX's October earnings call, Musk said the company would expand its terrestrial networks to provide broader connectivity wherever SpaceX and Starlink are permitted to operate, and that satellite launches and spectrum acquisitions would help Starlink Mobile become a major U.S. wireless carrier. Following reports of the cell tower negotiations, shares of major wireless carriers drew investor attention, reflecting the potential competitive pressure a new entrant could bring.
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