Is Starlink Becoming a Mobile Carrier? 15,000 Phone Satellites and a $19.6 Billion Airwaves Deal

Starlink does not sell phone plans today: its satellites reach phones through about 30 mobile carriers. But SpaceX agreed in 2025 to pay EchoStar about $19.6 billion for 65 MHz of US airwaves, on October 6, 2026 the FCC approved 15,000 new satellites built to connect ordinary phones, and on October 8 SpaceX agreed to buy nationwide 800 MHz airwaves from Grain Management, price not disclosed. SpaceX now says Starlink Mobile can become a network operator, according to reports. Here is what SpaceX has, what it is buying, and what is still years away.