SpaceX wins approval for 15,000 phone satellites

SpaceX has won FCC approval for a network of 15,000 satellites designed to connect to phones. The agency issued its decision on October 6, 2026, according to Aviation Week.

As The Rundown covered on October 9, SpaceX is also pursuing spectrum deals that could change its role in the phone business. The company helping carriers fill coverage gaps could eventually compete for their customers, if it secures the airwaves and gets the satellites up.

Two deals for more airwaves

Starlink’s U.S. mobile service runs through T-Mobile. In its July 2025 T-Satellite announcement, the carrier described connections to more than 650 satellites and access for people on other mobile networks.

On October 8, Grain Management announced an agreement to sell SpaceX its nationwide portfolio of 800 MHz licenses. The deal needs FCC approval and must meet other closing conditions. Grain says the planned Starlink Mobile service would reach customers through both ground and space infrastructure.

The separate EchoStar spectrum transaction has progressed further. EchoStar’s August 2026 filing says the FCC approved the deal on May 12 and spectrum assets moved to a trust on May 22. It targeted November 30, 2027, for SpaceX’s final acquisition, subject to closing conditions.

Why it matters

Owning spectrum and operating a larger fleet could give SpaceX more control over the phone service it offers and whom it sells to. For carriers, the tradeoff could be broader coverage through a partner that also competes for their subscribers.

SpaceX could pursue both paths at once. EchoStar’s filing anticipates access to future Starlink services for its wireless subscribers. That leaves room for SpaceX to keep serving carrier partners while developing an offer for its own customers.

For customers, filling a coverage gap and choosing a main phone plan involve different needs. A backup connection can help where cell towers do not reach. An everyday service also needs to work in homes and workplaces.

SpaceX’s stated plan combines satellites and ground infrastructure, with the 800 MHz spectrum intended to improve service indoors, according to TechRadar. The spectrum purchase would be one step toward that goal. The company would also have to build the ground network and show that it can deliver reliable indoor coverage.

The network also brings demands in orbit. In an October 6 presentation, SpaceX said close approaches had come within tens to hundreds of meters, Ars Technica reported. SpaceX said it had avoided about 650 active satellites belonging to other operators over the previous few months. Only half were associated with operators sharing trajectory data. A larger fleet would make coordination with other operators still more important.

A broader retail service depends on SpaceX completing its spectrum deals, launching satellites and building the ground network. Customers would also need answers on price, supported phones, coverage and reliability before judging it against their current plans. The timing of that service remains uncertain.