SpaceX acquiring more spectrum for Starlink Mobile, but that's not the most important win
SpaceX just got its hands on more spectrum.
It has also been relieved of the standard terrestrial buildout obligation. | Image by Starlink
SpaceX is scooping up more spectrum licenses, this time from Tristar. SpaceX could use the licenses to build a 5G network, strengthen its direct-to-device (D2D) network, or do both.
According to an FCC filing, SpaceX is acquiring three unpaired AWS-3 licenses from Tristar. They are only for uplink transmission. Tristar has been unable to put the licenses to good use and doesn't expect to meet the FCC's renewal requirements.
The licenses operate in the 1695–1710 MHz band and cover eight states, encompassing 4% of the US population. The purchase brings SpaceX's total spectrum holdings in these areas to 75 MHz.
The FCC has relieved SpaceX of terrestrial construction requirements for these licenses because the company intends to use the spectrum for its D2D network. That doesn't mean the FCC is completely letting SpaceX off the hook, as uplink and spectral efficiency targets are still in place.
In July, the FCC declined SpaceX's request to count satellite coverage toward upper C-band buildout obligations. Having the requirements waived for the new licenses is a major win for the company, which aims to launch a hybrid carrier that might rely more on satellites than land-based infrastructure.
Earlier this year, the company bought 40 MHz of AWS-4, 10 MHz of AWS-H Block, and 15 MHz of unpaired AWS-3 spectrum from EchoStar (Band 70), as well as two licenses during the AWS-3 auction. Earlier this month, it announced it was purchasing up to 14 MHz of low-band spectrum in the 800 MHz band from Grain Management.
The remaining AWS-3 licenses are held by Blue Ridge Wireless and Terrestar.
TMT analyst Walter Piecyk doesn't consider this a notable development, noting that the licenses merely fill gaps in the coverage of the spectrum from EchoStar. Furthermore, as Ookla industry analyst Mike Dano noted back in August when SpaceX applied for the licenses, routine spectrum transactions are standard practice for mobile operators.
More airwaves
According to an FCC filing, SpaceX is acquiring three unpaired AWS-3 licenses from Tristar. They are only for uplink transmission. Tristar has been unable to put the licenses to good use and doesn't expect to meet the FCC's renewal requirements.
The licenses operate in the 1695–1710 MHz band and cover eight states, encompassing 4% of the US population. The purchase brings SpaceX's total spectrum holdings in these areas to 75 MHz.
How should Starlink Mobile differentiate itself?
2 Votes
A relief
In July, the FCC declined SpaceX's request to count satellite coverage toward upper C-band buildout obligations. Having the requirements waived for the new licenses is a major win for the company, which aims to launch a hybrid carrier that might rely more on satellites than land-based infrastructure.
Due to the complexity of the Upper C-band transition, at this time we defer consideration of proposals to add further advanced satellite operations to the C-band. We find that deferring consideration is prudent, in the public interest, and best serves our objective to swiftly enable a stable ecosystem of advanced wireless services across a wider swath of the C-band.
FCC, July 2026
Building up its holdings
The 15 MHz of spectrum complements the airwaves purchased from EchoStar, creating a more continuous uplink footprint.
Earlier this year, the company bought 40 MHz of AWS-4, 10 MHz of AWS-H Block, and 15 MHz of unpaired AWS-3 spectrum from EchoStar (Band 70), as well as two licenses during the AWS-3 auction. Earlier this month, it announced it was purchasing up to 14 MHz of low-band spectrum in the 800 MHz band from Grain Management.
Perspectives
TMT analyst Walter Piecyk doesn't consider this a notable development, noting that the licenses merely fill gaps in the coverage of the spectrum from EchoStar. Furthermore, as Ookla industry analyst Mike Dano noted back in August when SpaceX applied for the licenses, routine spectrum transactions are standard practice for mobile operators.
This is just some of the mop-up of some of the AWS uplink spectrum that $ECHO did not own to complete a nationwide footprint. Nothing notably new or significant.
Walter Piecyk, TMT analyst, October 2026
These are the kinds of routine spectrum transactions that network operators conduct as they refine their networks. Obviously, it's noteworthy given SpaceX's ambition to become a new mobile network operator.
Mike Dano, lead industry analyst at Ookla, August 2026
Popular stories
Latest News
Things that are NOT allowed:
To help keep our community safe and free from spam, we apply temporary limits to newly created accounts: