SpaceX joins forces with Qualcomm to build Starlink Mobile 5G network

Date:
Wed, 04 Nov 2026 18:07:10 +0000

Description:
Starlink Mobile has found a base station partner, but still needs more spectrum and towers.

FULL STORY ======================================================================Copy link Facebook X Whatsapp Reddit Pinterest Flipboard Threads Email Share this article 0 Join the conversation Follow us Add us as a preferred source on Google Newsletter Subscribe to our newsletter Qualcomm's Dragonwing Cellular Infrastructure platforms will support Starlink Mobile's terrestrial base stations This tech will help improve coverage, capacity, and spectral efficiency However, analysts argue that spectrum and tower leases are more important for the carrier Starlink Mobile has just taken another big step towards launching its US mobile network to compete with the likes of Verizon, AT&T and T-Mobile the SpaceX-owned company has announced that Qualcomms Dragonwing Cellular Infrastructure platforms will support the carriers terrestrial base stations.

According to Qualcomm , these base stations are designed to improve coverage, capacity and spectral efficiency, helping the network serve more traffic efficiently. The multi-year agreement will see Qualcomm's tech used in "tens of thousands of sites", with the rollout due to begin in 2027. Qualcomm has described the agreement as its "biggest 5G deal yet". Latest Videos From TechRadar Watch full video here:

In a post on X Elon Musk claimed that Qualcomms technology is excellent, adding in another that at last there will be one network with good signal everywhere!

However, despite rumors from The Washington Post that SpaceX is also looking to acquire Boost Mobile from EchoStar, telecoms experts say the move is just one step on a potentially long battle with the established mobile giants. You may like SpaceX plans to turn Starlink into a 'major' US mobile carrier T-Mobile CEO challenges Elon Musk's claims about Starlink's mobile
superiority T-Mobile CEO calls Starlink's satellite technology 'inferior' Analysis: A small step in a long bid to 'disrupt the entire industry' At last there will be one network with good signal everywhere! November 4, 2026 So
how big a deal is this? Telecoms analyst Tim Farrar, President at TMF Associates, told us: "This deal is an important part of building a new mobile network in the US. But even more important will be for Starlink to secure the spectrum and tower leases that will be used with the Qualcomm equipment.

"I think a purchase of the remaining EchoStar spectrum assets and a
settlement with the tower companies is the easiest and quickest way to go about that, especially as Starlink intends to start deploying equipment next year." Get daily insight, inspiration and deals in your inbox Sign up for breaking news, reviews, opinion, top tech deals, and more. Contact me with news and offers from other Future brands Receive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsors By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

By EchoStar spectrum assets, Farrar is referring to the parent company of Boost Mobile, which was the subject of those acquisition rumors from The Washington Post . However, Boost Mobile has MVNO (mobile virtual network operator) agreements with T-Mobile and AT&T, and according to a research note from MoffettNathanson (via TeleCompetitor ) its unlikely that those
agreements would be transferred to Starlink Mobile.

In other words, that settlement with the tower companies mentioned by Farrar could still be a stumbling block, especially since Starlink Mobile was recently turned down as an MVNO by the USs major carriers. It remains unclear how easy it will be able to lease towers.

Without that, Starlink Mobile will have spectrum but not much in the way of ground-based infrastructure, leaving it with the big and expensive job of rolling out its own. What to read next SpaceX moves toward global mobile service with latest FCC green light AT&T CEO argues fiber is superior to Starlink's satellite-based phone plans Vodafone, Orange, and others eye European Starlink alternative The fourth big mobile giant? (Image credit: Starlink / Qualcomm) Other analysts are more bullish about Starlink Mobile's prospects. The new agreement between SpaceX and Qualcomm reinforces the likelihood that Starlink Mobile could become a credible fourth nationwide mobile network provider in the U.S," said Mike Dano, Lead Industry Analyst at Ookla. However, he also added a note of caution. "Of course, there are many more steps along this path, including building radios for a Starlink Mobile terrestrial network, putting them on top of towers, and then activating services for paying customers. And even then, its not clear whether Starlink Mobile will be able to successfully compete against the markets established mobile providers," Dano added.

"I think it will take several years at the very, very least for Starlink Mobile to build the terrestrial network and launch the new satellites that will be necessary for it to potentially become a credible fourth nationwide mobile network provider," he added.

Elon Musk's claims that Starlink Mobile will be the "one network with good signal everywhere" also don't currently match reality. Dano pointed towards Ookla's recent research on Starlink Mobile's 'direct to device' (D2D) offering. While Starlink was praised for filling coverage gaps in the US, the report concluded that "Starlink Mobiles network trails the performance of terrestrial networks".

For example, Ookla's tests concluded one in seven Starlink Mobile D2D texts failed to go through, compared with around one in fifty on the terrestrial network. "This is the kind of performance gap that Starlink Mobile will need to address with its terrestrial network buildout, Dano added.

Other mobile networks, meanwhile, think Elon Musk is playing a long game. "It's about getting enough network coverage to fundamentally disrupt the economics of the entire industry," said Peter Adderton, CEO of MobileX and founder of Boost Mobile in a post on X .

"I think the endgame isn't simply competing with the MNOs, but weakening
their economics and valuations to a point where SpaceX can eventually acquire one at a fraction of today's valuation? This isn't necessarily just about winning wireless customers. It's about changing the economics of wireless itself," he added. Today's best phone deals Contract Deals Sim Free voucher gift Samsung Galaxy S26 48 months Unlimited mins 25GB data 30 upfront 38.55 /mth View at EE See all prices gift Samsung Galaxy S26 Plus 24 months Unlimited mins Unlimited texts 500GB data 29 upfront 38.99 /mth View at Mobiles.co.uk See all prices voucher gift Google Pixel 11 36 months Unlimited mins 5GB data 30 upfront 49.17 /mth View at O2 Mobiles See all prices voucher gift Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra 48 months Unlimited mins 30GB data 30 upfront 44.95 /mth View at EE See all prices voucher gift Google Pixel 11 Pro 48 months Unlimited mins 5GB data 30 upfront 36.53 /mth View at EE See all
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Link to news story: https://www.techradar.com/phones/network-providers/spacex-and-qualcomm-join-fo rces-to-build-starlink-mobile-5g-network-but-elon-musks-bold-plan-to-disrupt-t he-entire-industry-could-take-several-years


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