Wire · technology
Musk to start 4th US cellular operator
◆ Sectors
◆ Geography
◆ Source
◆ Verified
Fusion42 · 9 October 2026 · Fusion42 review
SpaceX has acquired 800 MHz of terrestrial spectrum from Grain Management, positioning Starlink Mobile to become the 4th cellular operator in the US with full phone coverage capabilities. The rollout depends on new handset chipsets and satellite deployments, with nationwide service expected by 2035 and requiring FCC approval.
This Wire brief sits within Fusion42's coverage of Telecom & Connectivity, and 15 sources have reported it between 8 Oct 2026 and 10 Oct 2026.
◆ ◆ The Wire takeaway
You can now plan your US mobile tech around SpaceX’s entry as a cellular operator that will need new phone chipsets soon. This will open a fresh network access route but demands hardware alignment and long-term satellite build-out.
◆ Coverage
15 sources · first reported 8 Oct 2026 · latest 10 Oct 2026
◆ Related on Wire
◆ Topics