Elon Musk’s Starlink could be your next cellphone carrier

SpaceX is reportedly exploring a major expansion of Starlink into mobile phone service, seeking access to at least 80,000 cell sites across the United States. If pursued, the plan could make Starlink a direct competitor to Verizon, AT&T and T-Mobile and give customers another choice of carrier.

The discussions are preliminary, and SpaceX has not confirmed agreements for the sites. Crown Castle, which operates roughly 40,000 US cell towers, has said it is speaking with various companies, without naming them. Satellites can help cover remote areas, while ground-based sites may offer more reliable signals indoors or where the sky is obstructed; the article also says SpaceX has discussed adding small cellular stations to some customers’ Starlink equipment.