Elon Musk is coming for Verizon, AT&T and T-Mobile with Starlink

[BumRushDaShow]

Source: The Independent

Friday 26 June 2026 03:47 EDT


SpaceX is reportedly planning to launch a Starlink mobile service directly for U.S. consumers, a move that could position Elon Musk’s company in direct competition with established giants like Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile.

The Financial Times reported on Friday that SpaceX President Gwynne Shotwell informed investors during a recent IPO roadshow that the company is considering a Starlink retail product and building its own terrestrial US mobile network.

Currently, SpaceX already provides direct-to-cell connectivity with T-Mobile in the US, offering supplemental coverage from space to extend internet access to remote areas. Reuters could not immediately verify the report, and SpaceX did not respond to a request for comment.

This ambitious expansion follows SpaceX's acquisition of EchoStar's wireless spectrum licenses worth about $17 billion in September, and another $2.6 billion deal in November. The acquisitions give SpaceX the spectrum needed to rapidly expand a low-cost direct-to-cell satellite service using EchoStar's wireless airwaves.

Read more: https://www.the-independent.com/tech/elon-musk-starlink-cell-network-verizon-tmobile-b3003500.html

[niyad]

1. The fucking iillegal immigrant South African nazi could be paying me,

and I still would not use his crap.

[Wicked Blue]

2. Deport Musk

would make a nice bumper sticker.

[bucolic_frolic]

3. Rumor in a morning article said Musk might takeover T-Mobile

I will avoid any company that Musk owns. If it means going without, at least I've got liquidity.

[DivByZero]

14. Might not be that easy

Deutsche Telekom holds a 51.4% stake in T-Mobile

[jmsipes]

4. Couldn't cover Rhode Island

Let alone the whole world.

[ChicagoTeamster]

5. If they keep crashing and burning how will they sustain a network that can beat the reliability of the

existing combined carrier's cellular networks plus all of their Microwave, IR, and fiber optic connections?

[TommyT139]

6. Pretty sure I've seen a commercial already

...and my reply is fuck no. I'd rather go without a cell phone than give my data to Elon Musk.

[Deminpenn]

15. I've seen ads for starlink locally here

as well.

[flvegan]

7. Happily choose any of them over Musk's Starlink.

Not one dime if it can be helped.

[Bettie]

8. So, he's trying to "out-evil' other corporations?

I would buy from satan himself (if such a entity existed) before Musk.

[TexLaProgressive]

9. DEJA VUE

Iridium had world a world wide telecommunications matix of low orbit satellite arrays. They had thousands of customers but couldn’t find a buyer. In 2000 they let the satellites deorbit and burn.

[Cheezoholic]

18. I remember using satellite prediction services on the web to find out when there would be an "Iridium Flare"

back in the 90's. Those could be pretty spectacular.

[50 Shades Of Blue]

10. Hey Verizon! Suddenly you don't look so bad.

[SunSeeker]

17. Only Musk can make Verizon look like a reasonable alternative.

[ToxMarz]

11. What exactly is meant by "expand a low-cost direct-to-cell satellite service"

Does that mean they can operate it at low cost or they will offer it to customers at low cost. I guarantee you they will not be a cheaper alternative, and if they did, they would just put downward pressure on the others. They won't replace anyone.

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

12. Satellite internet is overrated

Some call it fraud band. But Ketamine has Musk thinking he's invincible.

[D00ver66]

13. Eventually...

One of his companies will have to actually make money. Sooner are later the juggling balls will fall and he will be the second biggest loser on the planet. Trump being the first. Hope I live to see it.

[ancianita]

16. I recently saw one of Musk's TV commercials for Starlink, a little shocked, and thinking hell no.

[Bengus81]

19. I've seen that commercial for rural people. You know the ones that Biden's infrastructure

plan was going to get HSI to them and not from fucking outer space. I'm sure all of them loved the idea but bashed Biden anyway.

[bcbink]

20. NO

No we did not bash Biden. We don't bash Biden.
There are so many of us out here with patchy service at best. We do not fall for ever commercial that comes along. We are rural, we are not stupid.
We would dearly love some fast reliable service.
Clearly you do not know people who love living away from the crowds. Perhaps you would be surprised that we have our teeth.
The nasty remarks made by the people of this forum remind me of the freepers.
We read.
We vote.
We come to sites like this for information.
This site gave me a political education, and a broken heart. The night of Gore. I'm sure many of you know what I mean. What we woke up to.
Anyway, please try to be kind, try to remember that you really don"t know everything, and don't sucker punch your teammates.
Please excuse me,
Bernadette

[Bengus81]

21. Yeah...your right. I should have put down 70%-90% of them that are truly Trump

voters,especially here in Kansas no matter what he pulls and takes away from them and us too.