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The satellite communications company SpaceX has a goal of providing high-speed mobile broadband access to all Americans, no matter where they go. With Starlink Mobile, the world’s largest satellite-to-mobile constellation, the company has been very close to achieving that goal. The only remaining hurdle was to integrate a low-frequency radio spectrum that can penetrate walls and allow users to get quality service inside buildings. But now, Starlink is getting an upgrade that may overcome this final limitation and put the network on an even competitive footing with the most reliable phone carriers in the United States.
SpaceX announced an agreement with investment firm Grain Management that, pending FCC approval, will give Starlink Mobile access to a portfolio of nationwide 800 MHz licenses of up to 14 megahertz of paired, low-band spectrum. According to SpaceX CEO Elon Musk (via X), “This is the last critical piece of the spectrum puzzle needed for SpaceX to provide complete phone coverage in America.”
Starlink Mobile is already equipped with a global 2 GHz mid-band spectrum that can provide high-bandwidth capacity in the United States. After acquiring the deployment-ready 800 MHz licenses from Grain Management, Starlink Mobile can become the first network operator to deploy both satellite and terrestrial spectrum. According to SpaceX, it will be “one network that provides Americans with a reliable service indoors, outdoors, in cellular dead zones, and everywhere in between.”
Should you switch to Starlink as your mobile carrier?
Starlink is primarily known as a satellite internet service. Reviewers have praised Starlink’s products for providing reliable internet speeds to people in remote areas. For example, the Starlink Mini is worth it for travelers who need a portable way to access the internet on the go. But there’s a difference between providing internet access and mobile network access, and it has yet to be seen if Starlink Mobile will succeed as a direct competitor to the likes of T-Mobile and AT&T.
However, it’s undeniable that SpaceX is serious about breaking into the mobile market. There have even been reports that Starlink might launch its own smartphone. The future of Starlink Mobile could be very promising if you frequently encounter dead zones with your current mobile network. Once Starlink Mobile starts operating in full swing, travelers and rural residents might find it worthwhile to make the switch.
Of course, Starlink would not be the first provider to offer both internet and mobile services. Additionally, one of the most popular complaints about Starlink is its price. You can already find affordable alternatives to Starlink satellite internet, some of which also offer reliable mobile services as well. Starlink aims to build “the world’s most advanced mobile network,” but sometimes a tried-and-true option is just as viable.
