Business · Companies · 2 hrs ago
SpaceX in talks with EchoStar about buying or using Boost Mobile
SpaceX has discussed buying Boost Mobile or using its network with its parent company, EchoStar.
Elon Musk spoke with EchoStar chairman Charlie Ergen about a possible agreement, according to reports.
Boost is a US budget mobile service with about 7.5 million customers, and it rents network capacity from AT&T and T-Mobile rather than owning its own towers.
SpaceX wants to combine Starlink satellites with cell towers to offer mobile coverage, including where satellite signals cannot reach.
Access to Boost’s network could expand Starlink’s coverage across much of the contiguous United States.
The plan may need approval from AT&T and T-Mobile, and the companies have reportedly rejected SpaceX’s earlier approaches to use their networks.
No deal has been confirmed, and the reports say discussions could involve either an acquisition or network access.
SpaceX has discussed acquiring Boost Mobile or using its network as it seeks to launch a mobile service through Starlink.
The talks were reported by The Washington Post and involved EchoStar, Boost Mobile’s parent company.
SpaceX chief executive Elon Musk discussed a possible agreement with EchoStar chairman Charlie Ergen last month.
Boost Mobile’s network uses capacity from AT&T and T-Mobile, which may need to approve SpaceX’s use of it.
SpaceX has also acquired wireless spectrum and is seeking access to cell sites as it builds out its mobile service.
- Who
- SpaceX and EchoStar, the parent company of Boost Mobile, have discussed a possible deal.
- What
- SpaceX may acquire Boost Mobile or use its network to launch a mobile service.
- When
- Musk discussed the potential agreement with EchoStar chairman Charlie Ergen last month; the reports were published on November 2, 2026.
- Where
- The United States; Boost Mobile’s network uses AT&T and T-Mobile capacity.
- Why
- SpaceX aims to make Starlink a major mobile carrier and expand its mobile service.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
SpaceX acquired wireless spectrum licenses from EchoStar.
Musk discussed a potential Boost Mobile agreement with EchoStar chairman Charlie Ergen.
Bloomberg reported that SpaceX was in talks to gain access to at least 80,000 cell sites in the US.
The Verge and Deadline reported that SpaceX had discussed acquiring Boost Mobile or using its network.
- Starlink subscribers
- 13.6 million at the end of the third quarter
- Subscriber growth
- 90% increase over the same period of 2025
- Boost Mobile subscribers
- 7.5 million at the end of 2025
- Potential network providers
- AT&T and T-Mobile
- Cell-site access talks
- At least 80,000 sites in the US
3 sources
What people are saying
Veterans of the cellular industry look at the chess board of existing pieces and don’t see a solution.
They don’t understand that SpaceX is developing entirely new pieces that fundamentally alter the strategic landscape.