SpaceX Reportedly in talks to gain access to at least 80000 U.S. cell sites, advancing a fourth nationwide wireless carrier

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SpaceX Reportedly in talks to gain access to at least 80000 U.S. cell sites and advance a nationwide wireless network, though the negotiations have not been confirmed by the companies involved.

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BlockBeats reports,October 23, citing Bloomberg via Reuters, that SpaceX is in talks with U.S. cellular infrastructure companies to gain access to at least 80000 cell sites nationwide. People familiar with the matter said the agreement could bolster its path toward becoming a fourth nationwide wireless carrier and challenging AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile. The report said SpaceX is acquiring nationwide low-band spectrum and has held talks with tower companies including Crown Castle; data from the Wireless Infrastructure Association show that 80000 sites represent about half of last year's total U.S. dedicated cellular towers, approximately 158500 towers.

Public information shows that Crown Castle operates approximately 40000 towers in the U.S., American Tower has approximately 42000 U.S. sites, and privately held Vertical Bridge owns approximately 18000 towers. Crown Castle CEO CEO Christian Hillabrant was asked at Wednesday's earnings call whether it was negotiating leases with satellite communications-related parties such as SpaceX and Amazon. He said, “You can assume that we're talking to everyone,” but declined to identify specific customers.TD Cowen estimates that building a nationwide terrestrial network could cost more than 80000000000 USD and would require years and additional capital; the related lease transactions could reach tens of billions of USD in scale. Crown Castle, American Tower, Vertical Bridge, and SpaceX did not immediately respond to Reuters' requests for comment.

In the background,SpaceX recently agreed to acquire Grain Management's nationwide portfolio of approximately 800MHz of low-band spectrum, subject to FCC approval.FCC also approved this week the launch of approximately 15000 second-generation satellites designed for direct-to-phone connectivity.CEO Elon Musk said on the earnings call that it would build a terrestrial network to provide broad coverage in areas where SpaceX and Starlink are approved to operate. After the news emerged,AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile fell approximately 4.2%–5%.

Original link https://m.theblockbeats.info/flash/373329

Key points

October 23, BlockBeats, citing Reuters and Bloomberg, reported that SpaceX is in talks with U.S. cellular infrastructure companies to gain access to at least 80000 cell sites nationwide.
People familiar with the matter said the agreement could strengthen SpaceX its path toward becoming a fourth nationwide wireless carrier and challenging AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile.
The Wireless Infrastructure Association says that 80000 sites represent about half of last year's total U.S. dedicated cellular towers, approximately 158500 towers.
Public information shows that Crown Castle operates approximately 40000 towers in the U.S., American Tower has approximately 42000 U.S. sites, and Vertical Bridge owns approximately 18000 towers.
Crown Castle CEO Christian Hillabrant said, “You can assume that we're talking to everyone,” but declined to disclose specific customers.
TD Cowen estimates that the cost of building a nationwide terrestrial network could exceed 80000000000 USD, require years and additional capital, and involve lease transactions potentially reaching tens of billions of USD。
SpaceX has agreed to acquire Grain Management's nationwide portfolio of approximately 800MHz of low-band spectrum, subject to FCC approval.
FCC approved this week SpaceX the launch of approximately 15000 second-generation satellites designed for direct-to-phone connectivity.
Elon Musk said that it would build a terrestrial network to provide broad coverage in areas where SpaceX and Starlink are approved to operate.
After the news emerged,AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile fell after hours by approximately 4.2%to 5%。
Crown Castle, American Tower, Vertical Bridge, and SpaceX did not immediately respond to Reuters' requests for comment.

AI-assisted interpretation

The following is analysis, separate from reported facts. Verify important claims independently.

SpaceX It is not only advancing direct-to-phone satellite services, but has also reportedly sought to use a large number of terrestrial base-station sites. If the negotiations and spectrum transaction are completed, it could combine satellite and terrestrial networks and move toward a nationwide wireless operator network. The currently disclosed base-station access remains at the negotiation stage.

Why it matters to readers

The reported plan could add a nationwide competitor to the U.S. wireless market, so AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile face heightened competitive pressure; meanwhile, estimated costs exceeding 80000000000 USD and a construction timeline spanning years indicate that the plan would require substantial funding and execution capabilities.

Beginners should focus on distinguishing “under negotiation” from “already signed”: currently, at least 80000 base-station access arrangements have not been formally confirmed by the relevant companies, and the spectrum acquisition still awaits FCC approval.

Risks and unknowns

SpaceX It remains unclear whether any formal lease or access agreement has been signed with a tower company.
At least 80000 base-station sites may ultimately all obtain access remains unclear.
Crown Castle CEO has not confirmed that it SpaceX is a specific negotiating customer.
SpaceX Acquisition of approximately 800MHz the low-band spectrum portfolio still awaits FCC approval.

SpaceX Reportedly in talks to gain access to at least 80000 U.S. cell sites, advancing a fourth nationwide wireless carrier

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