SpaceX Secures 800 MHz Spectrum to Launch Starlink Mobile, Triggering Historic Telecom Sell-Off
SpaceX has agreed to acquire up to 14 megahertz of 800 MHz low-band spectrum from Grain Management for approximately $8 billion, pending FCC approval. This acquisition aims to enable Starlink Mobile to provide indoor coverage and compete directly with major US carriers like AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon. The announcement triggered a historic sell-off in telecom stocks, with Verizon dropping 8.75%, T-Mobile falling 13.27%, and AT&T declining 9.81%, marking their worst single-day performances in decades. While analysts acknowledge the move makes Starlink’s network more credible, they note the significant time and capital required to build a competitive terrestrial infrastructure limits immediate risk to incumbents.
