SpaceX buys 800 MHz spectrum to extend Starlink phone coverage in the US
SpaceX bought up to 14 MHz of paired 800 MHz spectrum from Grain Management. It still needs regulatory approval.
SpaceX bought radio space that phones already use. It wants Starlink satellites to help phones get signal, outside and inside buildings. It first needs approval from regulators.
Hype check
Louder than it deserves. The real change is smaller.
Our editorial opinion, based on the sources below. How we score
Why it matters
Most phones already support this band. The plan is satellites outdoors and this spectrum indoors, if regulators approve.
Watch: your phone may one day connect straight to satellites.
The details
- SpaceX bought up to 14 MHz of paired spectrum in the 800 MHz band, nationwide in the US.
- The seller is Grain Management, which bought the spectrum from T-Mobile in August.
- Elon Musk called it "the last critical piece of the spectrum puzzle" for complete phone coverage in America.
- Starlink satellites would cover outdoors; the 800 MHz spectrum would cover indoors.
- The price was not stated, and SpaceX needs regulatory approval before it can use the new set-up.
Receipts
One trusted outlet reports it. Not confirmed yet. Open the sources and check us.
Written with the help of AI tools and checked against the sources above. How we work
See a mistake? Tell us and we’ll fix it.
