Wireless

Analysts Skeptical of SpaceX Mobile Plans

The satellite company said it intended to deploy terrestrial ‘femtocells’ to support its direct-to-device service

Jake Neenan

Aug 6, 2026 — 3 min read

Photo of SpaceX CEO Elon Musk at a May 2026 meeting in Beijing by Go Nakamura/AP

WASHINGTON, Aug. 6, 2026 – During its first earnings call as a public company, SpaceX executives said they intended to build out terrestrial components and use their credit-to-device service to compete with the wireless carriers.

Telecom industry analysts don’t think the plan is very likely.

Learn about the 3-Part Preview of America250 / Telecom150, a Broadband Breakfast conference on October 1, 2026

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Learn about "Broadband and AI in the Next Congress" at the National Press Club on December 1, 2026

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Wireless Satellite Sam McHugh Craig Moffett Tim Farrar Elon Musk Gwynne Shotwell SpaceX

Farm Bill Fails to Advance from Senate Agriculture Committee

Impasse leaves rural broadband provisions, including ReConnect reauthorization, on hold.

Comcast Business is Deploying Private Wireless Network in Smartlink Headquarters

The network will combine cellular and radio services to enhance wireless coverage in office buildings.

Zayo, Nvidia Team Up to Expand Fiber for AI Traffic

Zayo will build, own and operate more than 8,000 miles of new fiber, with Nvidia as an early customer.

FCC Approves Proposal on Unlicensed Spectrum for Direct-to-Device, Without 900 MHz

FCC Chairman Brendan Carr said the agency was working on ‘three big, new spectrum auctions’ for 2028

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