Starlink Mobile hits a major milestone as SpaceX reveals when it could be your next carrier

Starlink Mobile was reported by SpaceX on its Q3 earnings call to have passed 22 million monthly users at the end of September. That is a 37% increase in just a matter of three months.

SpaceX's end game is to turn Starlink Mobile into its own major US carrier in early 2028. Starlink already reaches devices such as the iPhone 18 Pro Max and Galaxy S26 Ultra through T-Mobile's T-Satellite.

Starlink Mobile gets a launch window

During SpaceX's Q3 earnings call, the company's President and COO, Gwynne Shotwell, touted the updated number of monthly users and stated the plan is to fly the new V2 satellites through 2027 and then switch on the Starlink Mobile service using SpaceX's own spectrum in early 2028. Also, CFO Bret Johnsen said that these V2 satellites will start launching on Starship in 2027.



For context, the FCC already approved 15,000 of those V2 satellites Shotwell mentioned back on October 6. These are the second-generation satellites that will end up replacing the first-gen ones, which mostly handled basic texting and light apps.

The 22 million user number has a catch

As impressive as all of that sounds, every one of the 22 million active users per month has come in through a partner carrier, not a paid SpaceX plan.

These partners include T-Mobile's T-Satellite in the US and Rogers in Canada. SpaceX counts these 22 million users separately from Starlink's 13.6 million home broadband subscribers.



Usage is also light, with T-Mobile saying satellite is actually a small portion of its traffic at about 0.0002%. Also, T-Mobile seems unbothered, with its tech chief brushing off SpaceX's carrier plans as SpaceX only holds about 79 MHz of spectrum in total versus T-Mobile's almost 400 MHz.

At this time, though, AT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile subscribers have nothing to worry about since nothing technically changes on their plan before 2028.

What this means for your phone plan today

Well, SpaceX's own carrier service isn't official yet, so there are no plans, prices or a device list that can be referenced. Also, Starlink's spectrum deal is still pending FCC approval.

T-Mobile customers today can already use Starlink through T-Satellite, but everyone else will likely need to wait until early 2028, when SpaceX's own service is expected to switch on. Price-wise, nothing is changing yet, though a fourth carrier option could add some pressure and competition later down the line.

Starlink as the fourth major carrier

I haven't personally used T-Satellite or any satellite SOS system yet, so I can't speak to its efficacy. When the time comes, though, the real test will likely be getting people to switch their main line to it.

Still, 2028 is a long way off. I am curious whether SpaceX's prices end up being low enough to sway people away from the Big Three.

More on Starlink Mobile and satellite connectivity:

• SpaceX is building the fourth US carrier
• Everything on the iPhone 18 Pro Max
• Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra

• Follow me on X and Threads

Tello Halloween Promo: $10GB for $10/mo

Don’t miss this scary-good deal: 10 GB for $10/mo. Save $5/mo for your first 3 months. Offer valid now through November 9, 2026.

Grab this Offer