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SpaceX In Talks to Access 80,000 Cell Sites For New Network (yahoo.com) 51

Posted by BeauHD from the what-to-expect dept.
SpaceX is reportedly seeking access to at least 80,000 cellular tower sites across the U.S. as it prepares to launch Starlink Mobile as a fourth nationwide wireless carrier. "We will be building out our terrestrial networks so there's broad-based connectivity anywhere that SpaceX and Starlink are allowed to operate," Musk said during SpaceX's earnings call this week. Satellite launches plus spectrum acquisition "will pave the way for Starlink Mobile to become a major mobile carrier in the US," he said. Bloomberg reports: One of the companies they're in talks with is Crown Castle, which, along with American Tower and Vertical Bridge Holdings, are among the largest owners of cellular towers. When asked on a Wednesday earnings conference call whether Crown Castle is discussing leases with SpaceX, Amazon.com or other satellite-based telecom providers, Chief Executive Officer Chris Hillabrant said, "You can assume that we're talking to all parties." He declined to discuss specific customer details.

Mobile networks rely on antennas placed on towers across the country to transmit wireless signals. Carriers such as AT&T Inc., Verizon Communications Inc. and T-Mobile US Inc. typically lease room for their equipment at the tower sites because it's more cost effective than owning and maintaining them, in part because the facilities can be shared. The value of the deals with SpaceX could reach into the billions.

SpaceX In Talks to Access 80,000 Cell Sites For New Network More | Reply

SpaceX In Talks to Access 80,000 Cell Sites For New Network

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  • Let me guess (Score:5, Insightful)

    by ArchieBunker ( 132337 ) on Friday October 23, 2026 @04:20PM (#66390448)

    You'll get spied on and your service disconnected if you speak badly of Elmo or dear leader.

    • Haha... Ah... Hahaha... Dumbass

  • Just me but... (Score:5, Insightful)

    by Archfeld ( 6757 ) <treboreel@live.com> on Friday October 23, 2026 @04:30PM (#66390474) Journal

    It may just be me but I don't want ANYTHING to do with Elon Musk. Fuck him and his cars and his spaceships all in one fast steroid filled gross mess that looks vaguely human.

    • Re: (Score:1)

      by dv82 ( 1609975 )
      And when he controls space access, land transport, and communication, you had better be living in New Zealand if you want to live your life as you wish.
      • > And when he controls space access, land transport, and communication, you had better be living in New Zealand if you want to live your life as you wish.

        Just who has engaged in political lawfare against his political enemies?

    • >"It may just be me but I don't want ANYTHING to do with Elon Musk. "

      It isn't just you. If you want to be an ideologue, that is your right as a consumer. And that does have power. Me, I prefer to look at what is being offered and decide if it is a service/product I need/want/like. Generally, more competition in this market would be a good thing. I have no great love of any of the current carriers. T-Mobile was my favorite for a very long time, but they have been kinda sliding downhill now.

      • Re: (Score:2)

        by dfghjk ( 711126 )

        "If you want to be an ideologue, that is your right as a consumer."

        Just like it's your right to be MAGA, but one is not an ideologue because they don't want to support a fraud, con man and racist just like you're not an ideologue simply because you support a rapist and child molester as president. You're an ideologue because you're too stupid not to be.

        Go ahead and believe the Elon Musk will be the best thing to happen to free markets, or at least claim so hoping your share of Tesla stock increases in value

      • Re: (Score:2)

        by Rei ( 128717 )

        Would you buy from a company called Plantations Inc which proudly advertises that all of its products are made by daily-whipped slaves? Are there no limits to how self-focused you are in your consumption?

        It's one thing to say "this particular issue isn't mine, so I'm only going to think amount myself". It's an entirely different issue to have no moral bounds.

    • I appreciate the sentiment, but I don't find ATT, VZ, Comcast, T-Mobile, etc. to be any better at being "good citizens" - your money is going to deplorable assholes regardless of provider, so you may as well pick the best provider for your needs.

      • Re: (Score:3)

        by Rei ( 128717 )

        Really, you don't see any difference between Elon Musk and, say, John Stankey? Is John Stankey actively transforming the US into an autocratic fascist-adjacent state?

        • I'm sure if I cared enough to go looking, I'd find him contributing to the exact same authoritarian campaigns and bullshit.

          Billionaires are like birds of a feather. Even Tim Cook donated to the stupid fucking ballroom. Why would I think any of these guys are "on our side" ?

          • Re: (Score:2)

            by Rei ( 128717 )

            "I'm sure if I cared enough to go looking".

            So you just made a weird, false assumption in order to justify to yourself something you already wanted to do.

            I used to have your viewpoint, by the way. The reality eventually became undeniable. Musk is a unique threat to western democracy.

    • Awesome... so, no cars, spaceships, AIs.
      What about that AI on your TV or car or cell phone?

      Oh... what happens when that provider (assume it's Musk's outfits) goes under? Does everything that uses that Tech just get bricked?

    • It may just be me but I don't want ANYTHING to do with Elon Musk. Fuck him and his cars and his spaceships all in one fast steroid filled gross mess that looks vaguely human.

      If you became disabled and Neuralink could help you would change your mind in a flash

    • I'm sure you would find something objectionable about every wireless carrier CEO if you got to know them.

  • With MVNO anyone can setup cell service. Even Ryan Gosling has a one called Mint Mobile

    • With MVNO anyone can setup cell service. Even Ryan Gosling has a one called Mint Mobile

      Ryan Reynolds, actually. But they were both born in Canada (so they do have that in common).

    • I mean maybe Starlink would be able to put some price pressure on other carriers. But that Mint mobile is like $10 month (= taxes and fees, etc etc) that's a pretty competitive market. I would much rather buy from an affable Canadian than a ...well the other guy

      And in 2026 you have to be pretty remote not to get some version of a terrestrial signal. Even the times I was on vacation, away from urban areas, but not like wilderness remote I could tether just fine with my off-brand cell service. When I am

  • Crown Castle is willing to lease space on their towers to anyone (with the ability to pay). It is what they do as a communications infrastructure focused REIT. I am not sure which analyst asked that question, but it was really a wasted question.
  • In most cases it isn't economically feasible to build and maintain the tower for just one carrier. Existing tower owners will be more than willing to host one more.
  • Leasing tower space at this scale could generate substantial revenue for tower operators. SpaceX's strategy is to combine two complementary technologies: Ground-based cell sites providing reliable coverage in populated areas. by Starlink satellites extending connectivity into remote areas. Providing another route for reaching devices beyond conventional terrestrial coverage.
  • I mean I'm pretty sure they got a lot of the money and spectrum to do this by claiming they would do it with satellites, not just the same terrestrial cell towers (not even new ones).

    • Re: (Score:3)

      by jaa101 ( 627731 )

      SpaceX bought separate, "low-band" spectrum just a few weeks ago for this purpose. That's separate from the spectrum they've previously purchased for satellite use.

      • Re: (Score:2)

        by PPH ( 736903 )

        Low band spectrum is also useful for rural cell sites. Widely spaced base stations, good penetration through trees, etc. Could be that Musk wants to monopolize rural telecommunications, so he's buying up all the possible competition. That's the market which Starlink was supposed to serve (it's not very good for high density urban areas).

  • Membership Open for Face-Eating Leopards Club (Score:5, Interesting)

    by hyades1 ( 1149581 ) on Friday October 23, 2026 @06:47PM (#66390786)

    Having seen what Musk pulled in Ukraine, does any sane person doubt he will pull some kind of fuckery on some subset of Americans if the price is right?

    • Ukraine can only use Starshield because of Musk; if he hadn't built the network, they wouldn't be doing nearly as well as they are. As a SpaceX shareholder, I'd rather not have the Starlink network be a legitimate military target at all, and Ukraine can destroy energy infrastructure without US help.

  • Those of you in America who have Ukrainian heritage had best avoid this service. I think Elmo might well throttle your data on a mere whim.

    After all, he's already done that in Ukraine [arstechnica.com] on more than one occasion. If he's willing to fuck Ukrainians over half a world away, why wouldn't he do it to the ones in his own back yard?

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