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BumRushDaShow

(173,585 posts)
Fri Jun 26, 2026, 11:28 AM 10 hrs ago

Elon Musk is coming for Verizon, AT&T and T-Mobile with Starlink

Source: The Independent

Friday 26 June 2026 03:47 EDT


SpaceX is reportedly planning to launch a Starlink mobile service directly for U.S. consumers, a move that could position Elon Musk’s company in direct competition with established giants like Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile.

The Financial Times reported on Friday that SpaceX President Gwynne Shotwell informed investors during a recent IPO roadshow that the company is considering a Starlink retail product and building its own terrestrial US mobile network.

Currently, SpaceX already provides direct-to-cell connectivity with T-Mobile in the US, offering supplemental coverage from space to extend internet access to remote areas. Reuters could not immediately verify the report, and SpaceX did not respond to a request for comment.

This ambitious expansion follows SpaceX's acquisition of EchoStar's wireless spectrum licenses worth about $17 billion in September, and another $2.6 billion deal in November. The acquisitions give SpaceX the spectrum needed to rapidly expand a low-cost direct-to-cell satellite service using EchoStar's wireless airwaves.

Read more: https://www.the-independent.com/tech/elon-musk-starlink-cell-network-verizon-tmobile-b3003500.html

21 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Elon Musk is coming for Verizon, AT&T and T-Mobile with Starlink (Original Post) BumRushDaShow 10 hrs ago OP
The fucking iillegal immigrant South African nazi could be paying me, niyad 10 hrs ago #1
Deport Musk Wicked Blue 10 hrs ago #2
Rumor in a morning article said Musk might takeover T-Mobile bucolic_frolic 9 hrs ago #3
Might not be that easy DivByZero 6 hrs ago #14
Couldn't cover Rhode Island jmsipes 9 hrs ago #4
If they keep crashing and burning how will they sustain a network that can beat the reliability of the ChicagoTeamster 9 hrs ago #5
Pretty sure I've seen a commercial already TommyT139 9 hrs ago #6
I've seen ads for starlink locally here Deminpenn 5 hrs ago #15
Happily choose any of them over Musk's Starlink. flvegan 9 hrs ago #7
So, he's trying to "out-evil' other corporations? Bettie 9 hrs ago #8
DEJA VUE TexLaProgressive 9 hrs ago #9
I remember using satellite prediction services on the web to find out when there would be an "Iridium Flare" Cheezoholic 3 hrs ago #18
Hey Verizon! Suddenly you don't look so bad. 50 Shades Of Blue 8 hrs ago #10
Only Musk can make Verizon look like a reasonable alternative. SunSeeker 5 hrs ago #17
What exactly is meant by "expand a low-cost direct-to-cell satellite service" ToxMarz 8 hrs ago #11
Satellite internet is overrated Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin 8 hrs ago #12
Eventually... D00ver66 7 hrs ago #13
I recently saw one of Musk's TV commercials for Starlink, a little shocked, and thinking hell no. ancianita 5 hrs ago #16
I've seen that commercial for rural people. You know the ones that Biden's infrastructure Bengus81 3 hrs ago #19
NO bcbink 2 hrs ago #20
Yeah...your right. I should have put down 70%-90% of them that are truly Trump Bengus81 11 min ago #21

niyad

(135,317 posts)
1. The fucking iillegal immigrant South African nazi could be paying me,
Fri Jun 26, 2026, 11:33 AM
10 hrs ago

and I still would not use his crap.

bucolic_frolic

(56,326 posts)
3. Rumor in a morning article said Musk might takeover T-Mobile
Fri Jun 26, 2026, 11:42 AM
9 hrs ago

I will avoid any company that Musk owns. If it means going without, at least I've got liquidity.

ChicagoTeamster

(1,472 posts)
5. If they keep crashing and burning how will they sustain a network that can beat the reliability of the
Fri Jun 26, 2026, 11:53 AM
9 hrs ago

existing combined carrier's cellular networks plus all of their Microwave, IR, and fiber optic connections?

TommyT139

(2,505 posts)
6. Pretty sure I've seen a commercial already
Fri Jun 26, 2026, 11:54 AM
9 hrs ago

...and my reply is fuck no. I'd rather go without a cell phone than give my data to Elon Musk.

Bettie

(20,003 posts)
8. So, he's trying to "out-evil' other corporations?
Fri Jun 26, 2026, 12:05 PM
9 hrs ago

I would buy from satan himself (if such a entity existed) before Musk.

TexLaProgressive

(12,840 posts)
9. DEJA VUE
Fri Jun 26, 2026, 12:35 PM
9 hrs ago

Iridium had world a world wide telecommunications matix of low orbit satellite arrays. They had thousands of customers but couldn’t find a buyer. In 2000 they let the satellites deorbit and burn.

Cheezoholic

(4,119 posts)
18. I remember using satellite prediction services on the web to find out when there would be an "Iridium Flare"
Fri Jun 26, 2026, 05:58 PM
3 hrs ago

back in the 90's. Those could be pretty spectacular.

ToxMarz

(3,183 posts)
11. What exactly is meant by "expand a low-cost direct-to-cell satellite service"
Fri Jun 26, 2026, 01:27 PM
8 hrs ago

Does that mean they can operate it at low cost or they will offer it to customers at low cost. I guarantee you they will not be a cheaper alternative, and if they did, they would just put downward pressure on the others. They won't replace anyone.

Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin

(138,853 posts)
12. Satellite internet is overrated
Fri Jun 26, 2026, 01:31 PM
8 hrs ago

Some call it fraud band. But Ketamine has Musk thinking he's invincible.

D00ver66

(36 posts)
13. Eventually...
Fri Jun 26, 2026, 02:17 PM
7 hrs ago

One of his companies will have to actually make money. Sooner are later the juggling balls will fall and he will be the second biggest loser on the planet. Trump being the first. Hope I live to see it.

ancianita

(43,445 posts)
16. I recently saw one of Musk's TV commercials for Starlink, a little shocked, and thinking hell no.
Fri Jun 26, 2026, 04:16 PM
5 hrs ago

Bengus81

(10,584 posts)
19. I've seen that commercial for rural people. You know the ones that Biden's infrastructure
Fri Jun 26, 2026, 06:20 PM
3 hrs ago

plan was going to get HSI to them and not from fucking outer space. I'm sure all of them loved the idea but bashed Biden anyway.

bcbink

(142 posts)
20. NO
Fri Jun 26, 2026, 06:54 PM
2 hrs ago

No we did not bash Biden. We don't bash Biden.
There are so many of us out here with patchy service at best. We do not fall for ever commercial that comes along. We are rural, we are not stupid.
We would dearly love some fast reliable service.
Clearly you do not know people who love living away from the crowds. Perhaps you would be surprised that we have our teeth.
The nasty remarks made by the people of this forum remind me of the freepers.
We read.
We vote.
We come to sites like this for information.
This site gave me a political education, and a broken heart. The night of Gore. I'm sure many of you know what I mean. What we woke up to.
Anyway, please try to be kind, try to remember that you really don"t know everything, and don't sucker punch your teammates.
Please excuse me,
Bernadette

Bengus81

(10,584 posts)
21. Yeah...your right. I should have put down 70%-90% of them that are truly Trump
Fri Jun 26, 2026, 09:28 PM
11 min ago

voters,especially here in Kansas no matter what he pulls and takes away from them and us too.

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