SpaceX has agreed to acquire Grain Management’s nationwide 800 MHz spectrum portfolio as it seeks to turn Starlink into a major U.S. mobile carrier.. The deal covers 100% of the portfolio, comprising up to 14 MHz of paired low-band spectrum, SpaceX said. The acquisition requires Federal Communications Commission approval..
SpaceX said access to the spectrum would address one of the remaining “technical gaps” in expanding Starlink beyond satellite broadband into a major mobile carrier.. The low-band spectrum will allow Starlink Mobile signals to penetrate walls and other obstacles, improving indoor service.
Starlink broadband will continue providing connectivity in remote locations.. Established carriers have access to a wider range of frequency bands. Most mobile devices already support the 800 MHz band, giving SpaceX access to millions of potential customers without requiring different phones..
“With this new low-band spectrum and our Gen2 constellation, Starlink Mobile can now become the first network operator to deploy both satellite and terrestrial spectrum,” SpaceX said in its announcement.. SpaceX acquired spectrum licenses from EchoStar late last year, including U.S. frequencies used for commercial wireless services such as mobile and satellite communications..
The FCC recently authorized SpaceX to deploy 15,000 Starlink Mobile Gen2 satellites optimized for the 2 GHz spectrum.. SpaceX said those satellites would deliver more than 100 times the bandwidth of its current satellite generation, allowing it to offer high-speed internet in more regions worldwide..
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