SpaceX has agreed to purchase a nationwide low-band spectrum portfolio of up to 14 megahertz of paired spectrum in the 800 MHz band from telecom investment firm Grain Management. The deal, detailed in an FCC filing, would enable Starlink Mobile to operate as a cellular carrier in the United States. The spectrum was previously held by T-Mobile and later acquired by Grain Management.

The transaction remains subject to Federal Communications Commission approval and other standard closing requirements. SpaceX plans to build terrestrial infrastructure using standard wireless equipment, including antennas mounted on towers, rooftops and other structures, to deliver consistent signal coverage.

In parallel, the FCC approved SpaceX’s request to launch an additional 15,000 satellites optimized for 2 GHz spectrum, part of its Starlink Gen2 constellation. This expansion aims to provide high-speed connectivity directly to unmodified consumer devices worldwide. The move follows SpaceX’s earlier $17 billion acquisition of 50 megahertz of S-band spectrum from EchoStar and its global Mobile Satellite Service licenses.

Combining the 800 MHz terrestrial spectrum with satellite-based 2 GHz coverage could allow Starlink Mobile to create a hybrid network. The low-band frequencies are capable of penetrating buildings and other structures, addressing a key limitation of current mobile networks. Most existing mobile devices already support 800 MHz bands, which SpaceX describes as underutilized, potentially enabling connectivity without requiring new hardware.

Industry analysts noted market reactions to the announcement, with shares of major U.S. wireless carriers declining following the news. Verizon, AT&T and T-Mobile US each saw stock drops of approximately 6 percent.

T-Mobile had previously launched a Direct-to-Cell service using Starlink’s satellite network, offering connectivity to devices across multiple carriers for $15 per month. However, a recent Juniper Research report suggests that direct-to-device technologies remain niche, activating only when terrestrial signals fail and doing little to improve indoor coverage — areas where SpaceX’s newly acquired spectrum may offer a distinct advantage.

The development represents a significant step in integrating satellite and terrestrial wireless infrastructure, though the timeline for full deployment and regulatory approvals remains uncertain.