Submission + - SpaceX in talks for 80,000 cell sites to build nationwide wireless network (yahoo.com)
schwit1 writes: Space Exploration Technologies Corp is in discussions to secure access to at least 80,000 cell sites across the United States, according to Bloomberg, signaling a concrete step toward establishing a fourth nationwide wireless carrier. The satellite giant is negotiating with major tower operators, including Crown Castle International Corp, as it gathers the physical infrastructure required to complement its orbital network.
The potential leasing agreements are expected to reach into the billions of dollars, reflecting the vast scale of the physical network required. Chief Executive Officer Elon Musk has positioned the initiative as a direct challenge to incumbent carriers, supported by recent regulatory milestones and strategic spectrum acquisitions.
The Federal Communications Commission granted SpaceX approval to launch 15,000 specialized satellites engineered to stream mobile connectivity directly to standard smartphones. Integrating tens of thousands of ground sites will allow the company to manage signal density and deliver reliable broadband across dense suburban and urban corridors.
The potential leasing agreements are expected to reach into the billions of dollars, reflecting the vast scale of the physical network required. Chief Executive Officer Elon Musk has positioned the initiative as a direct challenge to incumbent carriers, supported by recent regulatory milestones and strategic spectrum acquisitions.
The Federal Communications Commission granted SpaceX approval to launch 15,000 specialized satellites engineered to stream mobile connectivity directly to standard smartphones. Integrating tens of thousands of ground sites will allow the company to manage signal density and deliver reliable broadband across dense suburban and urban corridors.
