SpaceX to buy key spectrum that could help Starlink Mobile become major US cell carrier

SpaceX is looking to take on the incumbent mobile networks in the US with a combination of low-band spectrum that can penetrate indoors together with the 2 GHz spectrum supported by its Starlink Gen2 satellites for bandwidth. The rocket-flinging operation says it cut a deal to acquire a nationwide low-band spectrum license portfolio of up to 14 megahertz of paired spectrum in the 800 MHz band, which will pave the way for Starlink Mobile to become a major cellular carrier in the US. SpaceX agreed to acquire the spectrum licences from telecoms investment firm Grain Management, which bought them from T-Mobile. The transaction is subject to FCC approval and other customary closing conditions. In its FCC filing [PDF] regarding the transaction, SpaceX says it intends to roll out its own terrestrial infrastructure for this purpose, operating standard wireless equipment such as antennas on towers, rooftops, and other structures to provide reliable signal coverage. …