SpaceX is reportedly considering the acquisition of Boost Mobile from EchoStar, according to The Washington Post. The deal could help the company develop a hybrid cellular-satellite network and compete more directly with AT&T, T-Mobile and Verizon in the U.S. wireless market.
SpaceX has been expanding into cellular connectivity through Starlink. In 2024, it began providing satellite access to T-Mobile subscribers. The company also acquired $17 billion worth of wireless spectrum from EchoStar last year for cellular services, potentially improving Starlink’s ability to reach locations such as indoor spaces where satellite signals are more difficult to use.
Elon Musk described that spectrum purchase as the final critical part of the spectrum needed to provide complete phone coverage in the United States. However, a Boost Mobile acquisition would indicate that SpaceX is also seeking access to terrestrial networks.
Musk reportedly spoke with EchoStar chairman Charlie Ergen in October about buying Boost Mobile, a mobile virtual network operator. EchoStar has around 7.5 million customers across Boost Mobile and GenMobile, its other mobile service.
SpaceX has also reportedly approached AT&T, T-Mobile and Verizon about purchasing network capacity, but all three companies rejected the proposal. Their approval could still be relevant to a Boost Mobile transaction because Boost does not operate its own towers and instead leases capacity from AT&T and T-Mobile. Sources cited by The Washington Post said those network agreements are generally nontransferable.
Although AT&T, T-Mobile and Verizon each have more than 100 million subscribers, a Boost Mobile acquisition would give SpaceX an immediate customer base. More importantly, it could provide access to terrestrial cellular infrastructure. Boost currently covers most of the 48 contiguous U.S. states, potentially allowing Starlink to serve devices outdoors while cellular towers provide coverage where satellite signals cannot reach.
Sources: TechCrunch.