SpaceX in talks to acquire or use EchoStar's Boost Mobile network
According to The Washington Post, SpaceX is in talks with EchoStar and may acquire its wireless business Boost Mobile, or obtain rights to use the network, in order to launch its own mobile communications service. The report, citing people familiar with the matter, said the two sides have discussed over the past few months launching wireless service with the SpaceX brand through a partnership.
Boost's existing network is mainly leased from AT&T and T-Mobile. The move is intended to support Musk's Starlink Mobile plan, combining the satellite constellation with ground-based cellular networks to challenge the three major U.S. carriers. EchoStar had about 7.38 million wireless subscribers at the end of the second quarter, mainly Boost Mobile and Gen Mobile customers.
Musk also met with EchoStar Chairman Charlie Ergen last month. If the deal involves transferring network lease agreements, it may still require the consent of AT&T and T-Mobile. SpaceX and EchoStar did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Original source:
Title: SpaceX in talks to buy Boost Mobile or use its network, Washington Post reports Publisher: Reuters Date of publication: 2026-11-02 URL: https://www.reuters.com/business/media-telecom/spacex-talks-buy-boost-mobile-or-use-its-network-washington-post-reports-2026-11-02/ Source type: news agency report (directly citing The Washington Post) Verification status: relevant report summary read and cross-checked in this reading (verified on 2026-11-02) Supporting content: supports all core facts in the body, including talks to acquire or use the network, Boost's leasing from AT&T/T-Mobile, 7.38 million subscribers, and Musk's meeting with Ergen
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In recent years, SpaceX has continued to build out a hybrid satellite-ground mobile network strategy. The company previously acquired about $17 billion worth of spectrum from EchoStar and has been advancing its Starlink Mobile plan, aiming to become a major mobile carrier in the United States. Direct-to-phone satellite service has advantages outdoors and in remote areas, but indoor and urban coverage still requires terrestrial cellular support. After being turned down in direct attempts to lease network capacity from AT&T, T-Mobile and Verizon, Boost has become a potential backdoor route.
Boost Mobile, as an MVNO, does not build its own base stations; instead, it leases network capacity from AT&T and T-Mobile. Acquiring it or obtaining usage rights could give SpaceX quick access to about 7 million existing users and an established distribution channel, while bypassing the carriers' direct refusal. But lease agreements are usually not freely transferable, and if the deal moves forward, consent from AT&T and T-Mobile may still be required, creating additional negotiation and regulatory uncertainty.
EchoStar previously sold spectrum to SpaceX and obtained a minority stake, and the two sides already have business ties. If these talks materialize, the relationship would extend from a spectrum transaction to the operational level. For the three major carriers, this means a potential competitor could accelerate entry into the market through an existing customer base; for SpaceX, it would lower the time and capital barriers to building a ground network from scratch.
There is currently no formal transaction announcement, and the discussions remain at an early stage. Points to watch next include whether the two sides sign any framework agreement, whether AT&T and T-Mobile make any statements, and whether SpaceX mentions a path to obtaining ground network access in any recent Starlink Mobile-related developments.
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After being turned down by the three major carriers, Boost's leased network becomes a potential alternative path for SpaceX to enter terrestrial cellular service.
Transferring the lease agreement may require the original carriers' consent, adding extra conditions for the deal to materialize.
About 7.38 million users could provide an existing customer base, but indoor coverage still depends on the quality of the existing ground network.