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Why Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile Should Be Terrified of Elon Musk’s Next Move
Barchart.com • • business
Key Points:
- SpaceX plans to launch a direct-to-consumer Starlink mobile service in the U.S., shifting from partnering with wireless carriers to competing directly with them.
- Starlink currently serves over 12 million active customers worldwide and generated approximately $11.4 billion in revenue and $4.4 billion in operating profit in 2025, making it SpaceX's largest profit source.
- SpaceX aims to leverage recently acquired wireless spectrum licenses from EchoStar to build its own terrestrial wireless network and offer affordable mobile plans bundled with Starlink broadband.
- While established U.S. carriers dominate the market, capturing even a small share could mean millions of new subscribers for Starlink, potentially reshaping the wireless industry over time.
- The move could complicate existing partnerships between SpaceX and carriers, but also marks a significant step toward making Starlink a comprehensive connectivity platform beyond traditional cellular coverage.
