SpaceX bets on dense Starlink Mobile base stations to challenge the big three

SpaceX plans to add a terrestrial component to Starlink Mobile using thousands of small base stations attached to Starlink dishes, backed by 65 MHz of EchoStar spectrum, to compete with AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile. Analysts say achieving a true direct-to-consumer mobile service without an MVNO agreement will be challenging, and regulatory approvals are pending, but SpaceX intends to start service by late next year and argues the approach could attract customers, especially in dead zones and during disasters.