Spacex Reportedly in Talks With Charter Communications for Mobile Service
SpaceX moving from a satellite partner to a direct mobile competitor would reshape the U.S. wireless market, though the high cost of building a network and limited frequency holdings suggest the talks could also be a negotiation tactic.
Reporting from 1 sources: GIGAZINE.
SpaceX is reportedly in executive-level discussions with Charter Communications, a major CATV company, about launching its own consumer mobile service. The company already offers Starlink satellite communication and a Direct to Cell service with T-Mobile. A standalone mobile service would compete with Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile.
SpaceX has held executive-level talks with Charter Communications about launching its own consumer mobile service, according to Bloomberg. The company already operates Starlink satellite internet and, through a partnership with T-Mobile, offers Direct to Cell, which lets smartphones connect directly to satellites. A standalone mobile service would put SpaceX in direct competition with Verizon, AT&T, and its current partner T-Mobile.
The discussions with Charter are believed to involve using the cable company's existing infrastructure for network construction. SpaceX has also acquired eligibility to bid on frequency licenses and has won bids for Cincinnati and the Gulf of America. However, analysts note that building its own network would be costly and SpaceX's frequency holdings are far smaller than those of the major carriers, suggesting the talks may be a tactic to improve terms with business partners.
Synthesized by Yomimono from the 1 cited source below, including Japanese-language reporting where cited, then editorially reviewed before publishing.
Sources
- GIGAZINE SpaceXが独自のモバイルサービス展開に向けてCATV大手と協議か