SpaceX moves to challenge AT&T, Verizon with Qualcomm-powered 5G

SpaceX has selected Qualcomm to supply radios, baseband units and Layer 1 software for Starlink Mobile's planned nationwide terrestrial 5G network in the United States, according to Teslarati. The multi-year agreement, announced November 4, covers equipment based on Qualcomm's Dragonwing Cellular Infrastructure platforms and will power Massive MIMO radio units with 64 transmit and 64 receive paths. Qualcomm described the pact as its largest 5G deal to date, with deployment across tens of thousands of U.S. cell sites scheduled to begin in 2027.

The terrestrial build-out is meant to complement Starlink's satellite direct-to-cell capabilities, not replace them. SpaceX has assembled roughly 65 MHz of mid-band spectrum from EchoStar and up to 14 MHz of low-band 800 MHz spectrum from Grain Management. Executives including President Gwynne Shotwell have outlined a hybrid architecture where satellites eliminate outdoor dead zones and terrestrial nodes add capacity where demand is highest. The move represents SpaceX's bid to become a full-fledged U.S. mobile carrier, vertically integrating spectrum, satellite manufacturing, launch capacity and ground radio equipment. Challenges include spectrum depth lagging the largest carriers, substantial capital costs and ongoing regulatory approvals.

Source

SpaceX moves to challenge AT&T, Verizon with Qualcomm-powered 5G — Teslarati