SpaceX has informed investors it intends to launch a new Starlink mobile service directly for US consumers, entering competition with major carriers Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile as of today, June 26, 2026 [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7]. SpaceX President and COO Gwynne Shotwell said during a recent IPO roadshow that the company is "considering launching a Starlink retail product and could build its own terrestrial US mobile network" [1].
Currently, Starlink provides direct-to-cell satellite coverage through partnerships with telecom companies like T-Mobile, mainly to supplement rural coverage. However, it does not yet offer direct retail mobile contracts to customers in the United States [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]. Analysts note that a direct-to-consumer mobile service would represent one of Starlink’s largest expansions since its satellite broadband launch [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7].
SpaceX’s push into mobile retail follows its purchase of wireless spectrum licenses from EchoStar worth about $19.6 billion in 2025—$17 billion in September and $2.6 billion in November [1, 3, 4, 5, 7]. This spectrum acquisition underpins potential mobile network buildout in the US. Despite this, experts express skepticism about SpaceX building a full terrestrial mobile network given the high costs and challenges in the saturated US market. Some analysts suggest SpaceX may use the plan as leverage over telecom partners for better revenue-sharing arrangements [3, 4, 5, 7].
Starlink currently has over 10 million subscribers and operates satellite broadband service in more than 150 countries [1, 2]. SpaceX has not publicly confirmed the plan to launch a direct retail Starlink mobile service and did not respond to requests for comment [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7].
The coming months are likely to clarify whether SpaceX will bring Starlink mobile service directly to US consumers or focus on partnerships with established carriers.
