SpaceX considers Boost Mobile acquisition to expand wireless network

SpaceX has already begun integrating satellite connectivity, partnering with T-Mobile to offer satellite access to subscribers starting in 2024. Last year, the company invested $17 billion to purchase wireless spectrum from EchoStar, intended to enhance Starlink’s capabilities, such as enabling indoor coverage.

“This is the last critical piece of the spectrum puzzle needed for SpaceX to provide complete phone coverage in America,” Elon Musk stated on X regarding the spectrum purchase. However, SpaceX’s ambitions appear to extend beyond spectrum acquisition.

Reports indicate that SpaceX CEO Elon Musk held discussions with EchoStar chairman Charlie Ergen in October regarding a potential acquisition of Boost Mobile, which serves approximately 7.5 million customers through Boost Mobile and GenMobile.

SpaceX also approached AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon about leasing network capacity, but those discussions were unsuccessful. These major carriers could still influence a SpaceX acquisition of Boost Mobile, as Boost Mobile relies on leased infrastructure from AT&T and T-Mobile, and these leases are typically non-transferable.

While AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon each boast subscriber bases exceeding 100 million, significantly outnumbering Boost Mobile’s customer base, SpaceX’s primary interest lies in gaining access to terrestrial cellular networks.

Acquiring Boost Mobile’s network infrastructure would substantially broaden coverage, as Boost currently operates across most of the 48 contiguous U.S. states, enabling Starlink to function both independently and in conjunction with cellular towers.