Amid all the chatter about the insurmountable task of building a network and the likelihood of SpaceX purchasingAT&T, T-Mobile, or Verizon, Elon Musk's crew has already started testing the spectrum it's acquiring from EchoStar.
Moving swiftly
SpaceX starts testing newly-acquired spectrum. | Image by FCC
Given that the purchase was just approved in May, SpaceX is wasting absolutely no time in proceeding to the next stage. It's not surprising, though, as urgency is one of CEO Musk's core tenets.
Next-gen satellites
The company is testing its next-gen direct-to-cell satellites using EchoStar's spectrum. These V2 satellites support broadband data and IoT connectivity, moving well beyond texting and light data.
What are you hoping the outcome will be?
Reduced reliance on T-Mobile.
11.54%
Voice and internet support.
23.08%
First step toward SpaceX's own network.
65.38%
78 Votes
Going to plan
SpaceX has picked up 40 MHz of AWS-4, 10 MHz of AWS-H Block, and 15 MHz of unpaired AWS-3 spectrum from EchoStar, alongside the two licenses won during the recent AWS-3 auction.
Phones that support these frequencies are expected to start arriving late this year or next year. SpaceX also needs to get its V2 satellites into orbit to use those airwaves.
The next-gen satellites will fully utilize EchoStar's spectrum to deliver an experience comparable to LTE.
In most environments, this will enable full 5G cellular connectivity with a comparable experience to current terrestrial LTE service, which will be used in partnership with Mobile Network Operators to augment high capacity terrestrial 5G networks.
SpaceX, September 2025
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SpaceX is working with phone makers to add support. Qualcomm is leading the charge by shipping its X105 5G Modem-RF starting in the second half of 2026. Hardware is just one piece of the equation, though, as SpaceX will start deploying V2 satellites only in 2027 aboard Starship.
While the current V1-powered feature requires a clear view of the sky, the next-gen system promises to work inside buildings, though we will need to see that to believe it.
Carriers aren't going anywhere
Musk has admitted that SpaceX won't be putting carriers out of business anytime soon due to their massive spectrum holdings. However, Starlink Mobile's eventual goal is to reach more customers. It also recently expressed a desire to build its own terrestrial network. Meanwhile, word on the street is that it might join hands with Charter.
Setting aside those those wilder ambitions for a second, the importance of the spectrum and the next-gen satellites is that they cement SpaceX's position as the most important player in the direct-to-cell segment.
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Anam Hamid is a computer scientist turned tech journalist who has a keen interest in the tech world, with a particular focus on smartphones and tablets. She has previously written for Android Headlines and has also been a ghostwriter for several tech and car publications. Anam is not a tech hoarder and believes in using her gadgets for as long as possible. She is concerned about smartphone addiction and its impact on future generations, but she also appreciates the convenience that phones have brought into our lives. Anam is excited about technological advancements like folding screens and under-display sensors, and she often wonders about the future of technology. She values the overall experience of a device more than its individual specs and admires companies that deliver durable, high-quality products. In her free time, Anam enjoys reading, scrolling through Reddit and Instagram, and occasionally refreshing her programming skills through tutorials.
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