SpaceX is reportedly in discussions to acquire Boost Mobile from EchoStar as the company seeks to establish a hybrid satellite and cellular network in the United States. According to a November 2, 2026, report by The Washington Post, the negotiations could result in an outright acquisition or an agreement allowing SpaceX to access Boost Mobile’s existing wireless network.
SpaceX CEO Elon Musk reportedly met with EchoStar chairman Charlie Ergen in October to discuss a potential agreement. Neither company has publicly confirmed a transaction, and the terms of any possible deal remain undisclosed.
SpaceX Seeks Access to Existing Cellular Networks
The proposed acquisition would support SpaceX’s plans to expand its Starlink satellite service into the U.S. mobile telecommunications market. SpaceX already provides satellite-to-phone connectivity through its partnership with T-Mobile, which received regulatory approval from the Federal Communications Commission in November 2024.
The company previously approached AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile about purchasing capacity on their terrestrial networks, according to The Washington Post. All three carriers reportedly rejected those proposals, prompting SpaceX to consider alternative arrangements for obtaining cellular coverage.
Boost Mobile operates as a mobile virtual network operator, relying on infrastructure leased from AT&T and T-Mobile rather than maintaining its own nationwide network of cellular towers. Its existing coverage extends across most of the contiguous United States.
Acquiring Boost Mobile could give SpaceX access to an established subscriber base and terrestrial network capacity. However, the transaction could require approval from AT&T and T-Mobile because existing network leasing agreements may not automatically transfer to a new owner.
Previous Spectrum Acquisition Supports Starlink Expansion
SpaceX and EchoStar already have an established commercial relationship following a $17 billion spectrum agreement announced in September 2025. The agreement covers EchoStar’s AWS-4 and H-block spectrum licenses, supporting SpaceX’s development of a next-generation Starlink Direct-to-Cell network.
Under that agreement, EchoStar’s Boost Mobile subscribers would gain access to SpaceX’s next-generation satellite connectivity services. Musk previously described the spectrum acquisition as a critical step toward providing comprehensive mobile coverage across the United States.
EchoStar had approximately 7.5 million wireless subscribers across Boost Mobile and Gen Mobile, substantially fewer than AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile, which each serve over 100 million customers.
Satellite connectivity currently faces limitations inside buildings and densely developed areas where signals may be obstructed. Access to terrestrial cellular networks would allow SpaceX to supplement Starlink’s satellite coverage with conventional mobile connections in locations where satellite signals are less reliable.
Featured image credits: Wikimedia Commons
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