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BusinessQuiet 11d · day 12

Musk gains wireless spectrum through Grain deal after carrier rejections

Starlink acquired low-band spectrum from Grain Management and is negotiating with Boost Mobile to build a competing U.S. wireless carrier.

newest coverage 11d agosummary written 10d ago2 pieces NewswiresGoogle News

What to know

  • Starlink secured low-band spectrum from Grain Management after AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile rejected infrastructure-sharing requests, positioning itself to build independent cellular coverage.
  • The company is negotiating with Boost Mobile for capacity leasing and considering acquisition as a legally safer path around Boost's existing AT&T contracts.
  • Musk is pursuing approximately 80,000 cell tower sites to transmit on 800MHz spectrum, which would establish Starlink as a fourth nationwide U.S. wireless carrier.
  • Spectrum and licensing transfers require FCC approval, with finalization of the Grain deal expected in early 2027.

Elon MuskElon Musk Starlink and SpaceX CEOStarlink Satellite and emerging wireless providerAT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile Major U.S. wireless carriers

Musk gains wireless spectrum through Grain deal after carrier rejections
finance.yahoo.com

How it unfolded 1 development · click the chart to see its coverage articles

Peak 1 piece in 3h at Nov 2, 7 AM; 2 pieces over 12 days (2 articles) Nov 2, 7 AM — 1 piece · 1 article — Newswires 1Nov 2, 10 AM — 1 piece · 1 article — Google News 1Nov 2, 1 PM — quietNov 2, 4 PM — quietNov 2, 7 PM — quietNov 2, 10 PM — quietNov 3, 1 AM — quietNov 3, 4 AM — quietNov 3, 7 AM — quietNov 3, 10 AM — quietNov 3, 1 PM — quietNov 3, 4 PM — quietNov 3, 7 PM — quietNov 3, 10 PM — quietNov 4, 1 AM — quietNov 4, 4 AM — quietNov 4, 7 AM — quietNov 4, 10 AM — quietNov 4, 1 PM — quietNov 4, 4 PM — quietNov 4, 7 PM — quietNov 4, 10 PM — quietNov 5, 1 AM — quietNov 5, 4 AM — quietNov 5, 7 AM — quietNov 5, 10 AM — quietNov 5, 1 PM — quietNov 5, 4 PM — quietNov 5, 7 PM — quietNov 5, 10 PM — quietNov 6, 1 AM — quietNov 6, 4 AM — quietNov 6, 7 AM — quietNov 6, 10 AM — quietNov 6, 1 PM — quietNov 6, 4 PM — quietNov 6, 7 PM — quietNov 6, 10 PM — quietNov 7, 1 AM — quietNov 7, 4 AM — quietNov 7, 7 AM — quietNov 7, 10 AM — quietNov 7, 1 PM — quietNov 7, 4 PM — quietNov 7, 7 PM — quietNov 7, 10 PM — quietNov 8, 1 AM — quietNov 8, 4 AM — quietNov 8, 7 AM — quietNov 8, 10 AM — quietNov 8, 1 PM — quietNov 8, 4 PM — quietNov 8, 7 PM — quietNov 8, 10 PM — quietNov 9, 1 AM — quietNov 9, 4 AM — quietNov 9, 7 AM — quietNov 9, 10 AM — quietNov 9, 1 PM — quietNov 9, 4 PM — quietNov 9, 7 PM — quietNov 9, 10 PM — quietNov 10, 1 AM — quietNov 10, 4 AM — quietNov 10, 7 AM — quietNov 10, 10 AM — quietNov 10, 1 PM — quietNov 10, 4 PM — quietNov 10, 7 PM — quietNov 10, 10 PM — quietNov 11, 1 AM — quietNov 11, 4 AM — quietNov 11, 7 AM — quietNov 11, 10 AM — quietNov 11, 1 PM — quietNov 11, 4 PM — quietNov 11, 7 PM — quietNov 11, 10 PM — quietYesterday, 1 AM — quietYesterday, 4 AM — quietYesterday, 7 AM — quietYesterday, 10 AM — quietYesterday, 1 PM — quietYesterday, 4 PM — quietYesterday, 7 PM — quietYesterday, 10 PM — quietToday, 1 AM — quietToday, 4 AM — quietToday, 7 AM — quietToday, 10 AM — quietToday, 1 PM — quietToday, 4 PM — quietToday, 7 PM — quiet ◂ 1 earlier
Nov 3Nov 4Nov 5Nov 6Nov 7Nov 8Nov 9Nov 10Nov 11yesterdaynow · 9:13 PM ET
  1. upcoming

    Starlink acquires low-band spectrum from Grain Management — Earlier this month, Starlink entered a deal with Grain Management to buy its own portion of low-band spectrum, described by Musk as a critical piece needed for complete phone coverage in America. The ownership is set to finalize early next year.

  2. 1

    Musk pursues approximately 80,000 cell tower sites

    According to insiders who spoke to Bloomberg, Musk is in talks to obtain roughly 80,000 cell sites to transmit on the 800MHz spectrum. Success would solidify Starlink's path toward becoming a fourth nationwide wireless carrier.

    “the last critical piece of the spectrum puzzle needed to provide complete phone coverage in America…”
    — Elon Musk, Starlink and SpaceX CEO · source
  3. background

    Starlink negotiates Boost Mobile capacity lease, considers acquisition — This week it was revealed that Musk could be partnering with Boost Mobile to lease capacity. Some experts argue this represents a 'back door' entry that may violate Boost's existing AT&T contracts. A potential outright purchase of Boost and its agreements is being considered as a legally safer alternative.

  4. background

    FCC clears Starlink to launch 15,000 direct-to-cell satellites independently — The FCC authorized Starlink to deploy 15,000 satellites capable of direct-to-cell connectivity without additional hardware or T-Mobile partnership, and to carry mobile service internationally.

  5. background

    FCC approves Starlink direct-to-cell service with T-Mobile — The FCC granted Starlink approval to offer wireless direct-to-cell service as part of a collaboration with T-Mobile for free satellite phone service in dead zones.