Starlink eyes full mobile operator role: 15,000 direct-to-cell satellites approved
SuB8u · x · 2026-10-19
Per The Economist, SpaceX's Starlink is becoming a full-fledged mobile operator with a three-part plan:
- More satellites: FCC approval to fly up to 15,000 satellites designed to beam voice calls and data directly to smartphones
- Ground infrastructure: adding femtocells to Starlink home dishes, turning each into a short-range mobile mast, plus conventional larger masts
- Spectrum: $19.6bn spent in 2025 acquiring EchoStar bandwidth; rumored $8bn deal for low-frequency spectrum from Grain Management, better at penetrating buildings
Key constraint: satellites have fixed capacity and limited time over any given area, making dense cities hard to serve.
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