ScienceNewsTechSpaceX’s mobile carrier push reportedly involves tapping into 80,000 cell sitesThe Elon Musk-owned company is in talks with one of the largest cell tower owners in the US, according to Bloomberg.The Elon Musk-owned company is in talks with one of the largest cell tower owners in the US, according to Bloomberg.by Emma RothOct 23, 2026, 3:16 PM UTCShareGiftPhoto by George Frey/AFP via Getty ImagesEmma Roth is a news writer who covers the streaming wars, consumer tech, crypto, social media, and much more. Previously, she was a writer and editor at MUO.SpaceX is planning to access at least 80,000 cell sites as part of efforts to compete directly with Verizon, T-Mobile, and AT&T, according to a report from Bloomberg. Sources tell the publication that SpaceX is in talks with Crown Castle Inc., one of the nation’s largest cell tower owners.The move would give SpaceX access to half of the 158,500 cell towers currently operational in the US, according to Reuters. When asked about a potential partnership with SpaceX, Amazon, or other satellite services during an earnings call on Wednesday, Crown Castle CEO Chris Hillabrant said, “I don’t think I want to get into customer-specific detail, but you can assume that we’re talking to all parties.” SpaceX plans to pair a network of cell towers with its constellation of direct-to-cell satellites.RelatedSpaceX’s ambitious, pricey gamble to replace AT&T and VerizonEarlier this month, SpaceX acquired a portfolio of low-band spectrum licenses, while also receiving FCC approval to deploy 15,000 upgraded V2 Starlink Mobile satellites — moves the company says will “pave the way” for Starlink Mobile to become a “major” carrier in the US.
The Elon Musk-owned company also acquired 2GHz spectrum from EchoStar for $17 billion last year.Follow topics and authors from this story to see more like this in your personalized homepage feed and to receive email updates.Emma RothElon MuskMobileNewsScienceSpaceSpaceXTechMost PopularTrump says Sundar Pichai talked him out of renaming the Atlantic OceanTesla driver using Full Self-Driving struck and killed a man crossing I-80Bill Gates says to prepare for 20 years of ‘tumultuous’ AI disruptionVideoThe iPhone Duo is a messy, expensive, good timeSure, let’s smoosh SpaceX and Tesla together, who caresAdvertiser Content FromThis is the title for the native ad
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