SpaceX turns to EchoStar talks after major U.S. carriers reject network access request
SpaceX is in talks with EchoStar after Elon Musk failed to secure network access from major U.S. telecom operators including Verizon, T-Mobile and AT&T, according to The Washington Post. The discussions center on two possible routes: acquiring Boost Mobile or gaining access to its network, a move that could give SpaceX a path into the U.S. wireless market, which MoffettNathanson estimates at about $235 billion. The report says Musk met EchoStar chairman Charlie Ergen last month. Boost Mobile already has a brand and subscriber base, but its network relies on leased capacity from AT&T and T-Mobile, meaning any transfer or use arrangement would still typically require approval from those companies. Verizon and EchoStar declined to comment, while AT&T, T-Mobile, SpaceX and Musk did not respond to requests for comment. The talks come as SpaceX pushes deeper into mobile connectivity. Earlier this month, the company agreed to spend about $8 billion on wireless spectrum licenses suited for areas where satellite coverage falls short. Musk called that purchase the final spectrum piece needed for full phone coverage across the United States. SpaceX CFO Bret Johnsen has also said the company aims to become a major mobile carrier in the country.
