SpaceX moves forward to launch Starlink mobile carrier service in the US

New York | Financial Times SpaceX has taken an important step towards launching a Starlink mobile carrier service aimed at consumers in the United States. The company announced the acquisition of a portfolio of low-band frequencies and caused a drop of around US$62 billion (R$309.33 billion) in the combined market value of the country's largest telecommunications operators.

The company is purchasing licenses for up to 14 MHz (megahertz) of paired spectrum in the 800 MHz band, it said in a statement on Thursday afternoon (8).

The fall in shares of American mobile operators accelerated on Friday afternoon (9) after SpaceX's announcement. Verizon Communications, which has the largest number of mobile operator subscribers in the country, closed down 8.7%. AT&T fell 9.8%, and T-Mobile US fell 13.3%.

Entering the consumer carrier plan market would represent one of SpaceX's most important commercial expansions since the launch of Starlink, which already offers high-speed internet connections in more than 160 countries through its satellite constellation.

"Big deal", wrote the executive president of SpaceX, Elon Musk, in a publication on During the trading session, shares rose 3.6%.

Shares of companies that operate mobile network infrastructure advanced. Crown Castle rose 15.6%, American Tower gained 9.3% and SBA Communications rose 7.3%.

Before its record-breaking IPO (initial public offering) in June, SpaceX executives told investors that the company was considering launching a Starlink product aimed directly at consumers.

SpaceX began preparing to expand its services in the United States last year, when it agreed to pay US$17 billion (R$84.82 billion) for wireless spectrum licenses from struggling carrier EchoStar.

The company already offers direct-to-consumer services in the United States, albeit on a more limited basis. It allows operators like T-Mobile to use their satellites to expand their network coverage in rural areas.

The acquisition of low-frequency spectrum and the subsequent launch of a direct-to-consumer mobile service would give SpaceX access to a much larger market than its satellite internet offering. The operation could also reduce the company's dependence on telecommunications partners.

SpaceX stated that, following final approval from the FCC (United States Federal Communications Commission), responsible for selling spectrum licenses, it will combine its connection services between satellites and cell phones with a terrestrial network capable of "connecting devices anywhere".

The low-frequency spectrum will act as a coverage layer, allowing Starlink Mobile signals to pass through obstacles such as walls. This would enable customers to use their devices inside buildings as well.

"Buying spectrum does not mean making a commitment to build a national network. But this is the spectrum that, in our assessment, SpaceX needed to make this possibility more viable — and less expensive," Bernstein analysts wrote in a report following the company's announcement.