SpaceX buys 800 MHz licenses to expand Starlink Mobile’s ground network

SpaceX plans to purchase Grain Management’s portfolio of 800 MHz licenses across the United States, subject to regulatory approval. The deal advances Starlink Mobile’s effort to offer ground-based wireless service and follows FCC clearance for SpaceX to launch 15,000 direct-to-device satellites. Analysts caution that spectrum alone cannot handle dense urban traffic, and Bernstein estimates a full competitive national network might cost as much as $130 billion; SpaceX could instead rely on tower leases or wholesale access to challenge AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile.

SpaceX has agreed to buy Grain Management’s entire nationwide 800 MHz portfolio, pending FCC approval and other conditions. Terms weren’t disclosed; The Wall Street Journal pegged the value near $8 billion. Grain had obtained the licenses from T-Mobile in August, trading cash and 600 MHz holdings. The package offers as much as 14 MHz of paired low-band spectrum.

The move follows FCC clearance for 15,000 direct-to-device satellites and a waiver tied to EchoStar spectrum, letting SpaceX combine satellite and terrestrial airwaves under its control. Analyst Vish Nandlall cautioned that spectrum alone cannot serve dense urban traffic. Bernstein estimated a fully competitive national network could cost up to $130 billion.