SpaceX agrees to buy 800 MHz spectrum for Starlink Mobile as FCC clears 15,000 satellites

SpaceX has agreed to acquire a nationwide portfolio of low-band spectrum licenses for its Starlink Mobile service, the company said in an Oct. 8 announcement.

The portfolio covers up to 14 megahertz of paired spectrum in the 800 MHz band. SpaceX did not name the seller or disclose the price. The deal needs final approval from the Federal Communications Commission, according to the post.

Why the spectrum matters

SpaceX said low-band spectrum fills one of the key remaining technical gaps for Starlink Mobile to become a major U.S. mobile carrier. Low-band signals travel through walls, which helps service reach devices inside buildings. SpaceX said most existing phones already support the band.

The company plans to combine its satellite-to-mobile constellation with a ground-based network. It said that would make Starlink Mobile the first network operator to deploy both satellite and terrestrial spectrum.

FCC approval

In the same post, SpaceX said the FCC approved its application for the Starlink Mobile Gen2 constellation. The approval lets SpaceX launch 15,000 satellites optimized for 2 GHz spectrum globally.

SpaceX said the V2 Starlink Mobile satellites will deliver more than 100 times the bandwidth of the current generation. The FCC also authorized the full range of backhaul bands used by Starlink's V3 broadband satellites, the company said.

Sources

1. Space Exploration Technologies Corp. company announcement, "Building the World’s Most Advanced Mobile Network," Oct. 8, 2026, SpaceX updates page

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